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Apex Mountain Classic Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 27-08-2018 09:28
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Directeur Sportif
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 Apex Mountain Classic
The Apex Mountain Classic in British Columbia, Canada, is going into it's first ever edition and with a PTHC status, the race organization is proud to announce a startlist packed with premium climbers from both the ProTour and the PCT.
Starting in Penticton, route 227km route does feature several short, but challenging climbs - before the riders will enter the longest climb up to Apex Mountain Resort (a well known ski resort). A climb, that will also be featured in the Tour of America later this season. From the mountaintop, the riders will face a fast downhill sector down to Hedley, where a flat finish will probably attract thousands of spectators to see the first big mountain classic winner of the 2018 season. An interesting profile with climbing, downhill skills and of course stamina as key abilities to contest for a prestigious victory.
The Startlist
The Favorites | Favorites | MO | ST | AC | DH | Outsiders | MO | ST | AC | DH |  Taaramäe | 85 | 79 | 76 | 70 |  Guldhammer | 81 | 74 | 76 | 65 |  Pluchkin | 85 | 78 | 74 | 66 |  Nibali | 80 | 75 | 56 | 78 |  Dombrowski | 84 | 80 | 75 | 72 |  Ji | 80 | 73 | 65 | 69 |  Kritskiy | 84 | 78 | 67 | 62 | Marquez | 80 | 70 | 80 | 64 |  Amador | 84 | 77 | 72 | 71 | Krasnoperov | 80 | 68 | 61 | 69 |  Sicard | 82 | 80 | 70 | 65 |  Valls | 79 | 78 | 72 | 66 |  Úran | 82 | 75 | 71 | 62 | Brambilla | 79 | 75 | 63 | 70 |  Velits | 82 | 74 | 67 | 63 |  Carthy | 79 | 75 | 69 | 65 |  Wellens | 81 | 79 | 68 | 70 | Penasa | 79 | 75 | 76 | 64 |  Kudus | 81 | 79 | 70 | 67 | Moschella | 79 | 73 | 62 | 75 | | Monsalve | 81 | 79 | 73 | 65 | Beltran | 79 | 73 | 76 | 74 | | Galta | 81 | 78 | 64 | 70 |  Brenes | 79 | 73 | 70 | 65 |  Barguil | 81 | 77 | 75 | 76 | Preidler | 79 | 71 | 69 | 81 | | Berhane | 81 | 77 | 68 | 71 |  Garby | 79 | 71 | 70 | 63 | | Quintana | 81 | 77 | 66 | 61 | Aru | 78 | 74 | 70 | 70 |
As already mentioned, the premier edition of the Apex Mountain Classic could hardly feature a better startlist. Five of the world's best climbers will top a list, that is packed with several more premium mountain goats. It's just sick and definitely a great promotion for a new race on the schedule.
Let's begin with the obvious: Taaramäe vs Pluchkin is something that many races would pay a huge amount of money. Looking at pure stats, Taaramäe must be considered the top-favorite for this event though, as he's slightly better than Pluchkin in such key areas like stamina, acceleration and downhill skills. If it wasn't for such a sick startlist, it would be his race to lose. Pluchkin though won't have to hide and of course it's a prestigious battle, where daily form will be a factor - just like smart tactics, of course.
The locals may cheer for Dombrowski, as we should expect thousands of US fans at the roadside. His downhill skills and stamina gives him an advantage over the top duo and he is certainly a serious contender for the victory. The same goes for Amador. And then there's Kritskiy, who has a great diesel motor, but who's surely lacking some acceleration and who isn't particularly known as a great downhill rider. If there's someone like an outsider between those premium climbers, it must be him.
The second row of possible podium contenders (and definitely Top-5 material) features names such as Sicard, Úran, Velits, Monsalve, Barguil, Kudus and less fast kicking climbers like Wellens, Galta, Berhane or Quintana. Of those names, someone like Barguil definitely looks quite interesting, as he's known for aggressive racing, explosive attacks and also great skills for downhill sectors. He might be something like a dark horse for a Top-5 result at least. The same goes for Guldhammer, who comes with the worst stamina of all mentioned riders so far (except of Velits).
Speaking of downhills, you always have to mention Nibali. As his team's first option in this race, he may be a Top-10 contender, despite lacking the acceleration. Also the Valls/Penasa combo may hope for a somewhat shocking Top-10 or at least Top-15 result in this stacked field.
In terms of support for their leaders, there's definitely T-Mobile that stands out with guys like Marquez, Krasnoperov, Moschella and Preidler providing some outstanding support for Taaramäe. Also Aker comes with some great depths with riders like Galta, Guldhammer and Beltran.
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| SotD |
Posted on 27-08-2018 09:31
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World Champion
Posts: 12188
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Taaramäe and Dombrowski the biggest favorites for me here... Barguil should do very well also. Top 5 definately possible. I will be rooting for him to overperform here to see Moser continue to do well, and take that PT win 
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 27-08-2018 09:34
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World Champion
Posts: 13915
Joined: 05-08-2008
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First race for Dombrowski under our colors. A podium should be on the books.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 09:05
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| viking90 |
Posted on 27-08-2018 09:39
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
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Wellens is a little bit to slow but top10 looks still like something he can do here, but a lot of 81 MO riders here. |
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| Vien |
Posted on 27-08-2018 10:09
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2322
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Thankfully not a race in our band. Still looking forward to see the way the field shapes up. Especially Barguil, to see if his training worked. |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 27-08-2018 10:18
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World Champion
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Dall'Oste from the breakaway?
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| fjhoekie |
Posted on 27-08-2018 10:22
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4476
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Wonder how our mountaintrain will hold up here, weakest link being Budyak here. Pluchkin should contest for the win, and if Scarponi could stay with him until the end, he has a great DH stat...
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game |
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| tastasol |
Posted on 27-08-2018 10:23
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
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Ooooh, this will be one to watch! Rein gets my hypothetic money.
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| Heine |
Posted on 27-08-2018 11:03
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4116
Joined: 08-04-2007
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I have really looked forward to this, both to see if Rein continues his form from last year, and to see how my helpers work. Pretty much sent the best I could here,
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 27-08-2018 11:54
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
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And finally we start our season  Hoping for a top 10 or 15 from Petey, mountain classic at this level isn't his cup of tea but some decent points of the board would be nice. Would love an Areruya or Jams break too.
Why is Velits not in the "bad kick pile"  Aside from that, thanks for a great preview tsmoha, sure we'll get a banger report too
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 27-08-2018 12:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
Joined: 07-08-2011
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If we get more than a participation trophy here. Racing here out of being band forcing rather than lust 
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| dev4ever |
Posted on 27-08-2018 12:33
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2282
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Would have loved to participate and see what Alarcon could have managed here, as it would have fit perfectly with race days aswell. Maybe next year though.
Still really excited to see the first test between the top dogs That t-mobile train could be scary with Marquez as a final launch-pad for the Estonian.
Hope to see some agressive racing here!
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| cio93 |
Posted on 27-08-2018 12:47
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
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Very glad I'm not in this band, although it surely will be fun to follow! A few teams will be quite disappointed with the points scoring here I assume.
Not-so-bold guess: the downhill won't matter much.
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| Aquarius97 |
Posted on 27-08-2018 13:31
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4191
Joined: 13-09-2015
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First time in a mountain race where my team doesn't have a super favourite for the win. I'm actually excited to see how this goes as an outsider.
Seeing the startlist, i think a Top10 for Kudus is possible in his first race for the team, but could slip to 15th at worst and still be a not bad result. I hope that Ndayisenga, Novak and Serrano can contribute with depth points, with the former hopefully with a Top30 and the other two in the Top50.
Not likely to be a high scoring race for us, but this season will be about racking points everywhere, but still i'd like a nice scoring from our very first PTHC race in the team history.
I hope to see a great battle between Dombo, Rein, Pluchkin and Amador for the win. It has to be an exciting race for sure.
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| SotD |
Posted on 27-08-2018 13:48
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World Champion
Posts: 12188
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dev4ever wrote:
Would have loved to participate and see what Alarcon could have managed here, as it would have fit perfectly with race days aswell. Maybe next year though.
Still really excited to see the first test between the top dogs That t-mobile train could be scary with Marquez as a final launch-pad for the Estonian.
Hope to see some agressive racing here!
Also could be the opposite and be a sleepingbag for Taaramäe just like Lecuisinier was for Spilak at the 2016 TdF.
I wouldn't use them together all that much tbh, but in these sort of races it could work out great, though...
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| roturn |
Posted on 27-08-2018 13:50
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Team Manager
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I hope the race plays out well and with a small group coming to the finish or even a downhill attack by someone like Nibali/Barguil, that play out their skills best.
A bigger group of 15-25 would be a shame as then I fear for a crazy positioning only random sprint just after the descent. |
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| dev4ever |
Posted on 27-08-2018 13:53
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2282
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SotD wrote:
dev4ever wrote:
Would have loved to participate and see what Alarcon could have managed here, as it would have fit perfectly with race days aswell. Maybe next year though.
Still really excited to see the first test between the top dogs That t-mobile train could be scary with Marquez as a final launch-pad for the Estonian.
Hope to see some agressive racing here!
Also could be the opposite and be a sleepingbag for Taaramäe just like Lecuisinier was for Spilak at the 2016 TdF.
I wouldn't use them together all that much tbh, but in these sort of races it could work out great, though...
Yeah could go both ways definetely. I dont think any of his guys are strong enough to be the ``Lecuisnier``rider though! IMO its worth the gamble here
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 27-08-2018 13:58
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World Champion
Posts: 13915
Joined: 05-08-2008
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roturn wrote:
A bigger group of 15-25 would be a shame as then I fear for a crazy positioning only random sprint just after the descent.
my worst nightmare
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 27-08-2018 14:03
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
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I mean, I'm just happy to be in a race, even if it's completely useless. Garby is our "leader," for what that's worth.
Would be nice to see someone in the break! Any points are bonus points here.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 27-08-2018 14:36
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8057
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Hopefully, Nibali's high DH will mean something here. But, I fear PCM will heavily overlook that and it won't even matter with such a strong startlist.
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