Tour of East Java Discussion
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tsmoha |
Posted on 26-09-2018 14:35
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Tour of East Java
The Tour of East Java in Indonesia goes into it's 5th edition and it has been moved from a late season to an early season spot. So the previous edition, which was won by Natnael Berhane (2017) actually is just a few months ago. Since it's first edition back in 2013 was won by Allan Davis, the race came back as a mountain stage race two years later: Julien Berard (2015), Tiago Machado (2016) and Berhane as the other previous race winners then.
The character of the race stays the same like in the previous three editions: an opening flat stage is followed by a similar short, but definitely challenging mountain stage. Just two days of racing here and obviously, it's the second day, that will decide over the next winner on the honour roll.
The Startlist
The GC contenders Favorites | MO | AC | | | Outsiders | MO | AC | Berhane | 81 | 68 | | | Parra Bustamente | 77 | 71 | Choi | 80 | 68 | | | Van den Broeck | 77 | 64 | Kiserlovski | 80 | 66 | | | Hirschlein | 77 | 59 | Penasa | 79 | 76 | | | Chaves | 76 | 72 | Yates | 79 | 76 | | | Dall'Oste | 76 | 71 | Brenes | 79 | 70 | | | Baltazar | 76 | 69 | Pantano Gómez | 79 | 68 | | | Ortega | 76 | 62 | Anacona | 79 | 61 | | | Khodayari | 75 | 72 | Bennett | 78 | 73 | | | Kulhavy | 75 | 71 | Rodrigues | 78 | 72 | | | Mat Senan | 75 | 70 | Warbasse | 78 | 65 | | | La Lavandier | 75 | 63 |
It's definitely good news for the race organization to see the defending race champion coming back for another run at the overall victory: Berhane as the best climber on the startlist and so his chances to win the Tour of East Java for the second consecutive time are quite promising. Thanks to the race now clashing with the mountainous Vuelta a Colombia, the startlist here is rather "thin" for a C1 rated stage race. That's obviously good news for Berhane, who does feel some pressure to deliver though.
Choi and Kiserlovski as the next best pure climbers, who do lack the acceleration opposing to Penasa, Yates and Brenes as other serious contenders for the podium. Having won the challenging Volta a Catalunya last month, Choi certainly looks like real threat for Berhane and if he's performing on the same level like he did against heavier competition, he actually may be something like the second top favorite for the overall win. Of course, those strong kicking climbers like Penasa and Yates should be dangerous as well - they will definitely aim for a big victory, too!
The list goes on with some riders, who will love the chance to fight for a podium in a stage race like this: Brenes, Pantano Gomez, Anacona, Bennett, Rodrigues and Warbasse as the Top-5/10 contenders. A few more minor threats like veteran Van den Broeck, Chaves, Dall'Oste, Khodayari or those from amateur teams: Kulhavy, Mat Senan and La Lavandier. Surely a rare opportunity for those guys to show themselves in a C1 race this year.
The Sprinters Favorites | SP | AC | | | Outsiders | SP | AC | Goss | 82 | 78 | | | Harrison | 78 | 81 | Saber | 81 | 79 | | | Bonifazio | 78 | 78 | Haller | 80 | 79 | | | Jones | 78 | 78 | Castañeda | 80 | 79 | | | Fonseca | 78 | 77 | Drapac | 80 | 79 | | | Redecker | 77 | 78 | Kragh Andersen | 80 | 77 | | | Perera | 77 | 78 | Serebriakov | 80 | 77 | | | Nielsen | 77 | 78 | Rowe | 79 | 80 | | | Kuboki | 77 | 77 | Vingerling | 79 | 79 | | | Jaser | 77 | 75 | Pelucchi | 79 | 77 | | | Farrar | 77 | 74 |
As for the opening flat stage, it might come down to a battle between two former Oz Cycling riders: Goss vs Saber (who followed into Gossy's footsteps when the Aussie left Oz Cycling). Surely an interesting matchup and both simply have to aim for the stage-win here.
Of course, sprints can be tricky and with several more sprinters attending, it won't be easy going for those two: Haller, Castaneda, Drapac, Kragh Andersen or Serebriakov will certainly be of real danger for Goss. Positioning and daily form.. you know it. A few more riders hoping for some rare success: Vingerling, Pelucchi, Jones, Perera, Nielsen, Kuboki, Jaser or Farrar would need a special day to deliver anything better than a Top-5 or even Top-10.
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Eden95 |
Posted on 26-09-2018 15:39
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Happy to be racing again in Java
Super happy with the startlist, besides Berhane and maybe Choi it’s a very open and hopefully exciting race. Brenes has got a great shot at a top-5 and Goss a great shot at a stage win. We’ll have to see how it goes!
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Selwink |
Posted on 26-09-2018 15:51
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I should have brought Duarte, but easy to talk in hindsight. Avetisyan our best climber here, so Serebriakov will need to do it for us here.
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dominox |
Posted on 26-09-2018 16:04
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Only one stage but I really hope my riders can do something special here. Top 10 should be the minimum for two riders. I could say top 5 is very possible. |
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 26-09-2018 16:21
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Pantano can actually get a Top 5
Top 10 is a more likely result and that would meet our expectations. Hope Saber can bring out another dream sprint.
Thanks for the preview
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Marcovdw |
Posted on 26-09-2018 17:53
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I actually came here for the flat stage with Drapac. Hence Khodayari as leader for the mountain stage but I have no expectations. He might surprise, he might be dropped early, I don't really care. As long as Drapac will sprint for the first stage and finish inside the time limit on the last.
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Posted on 25-11-2024 00:03
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Ollfardh |
Posted on 26-09-2018 18:11
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This is always a funny race, any points are welcomed!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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valverde321 |
Posted on 26-09-2018 18:24
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Very happy I can split Choi and Shikai. Looks like Choi has a real shot at a great result again after his last race. Can only hope for a win given the startlist, but realistically there are definitely riders I'd rate above him, like the defending champion as well as the others mentioned like Yates and Penasa.
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baseballlover312 |
Posted on 26-09-2018 19:45
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Despite conventional wisdom, I though more GC guys would come here than have, and sent Garby to Colombia where I thought he might have a chance for a stage result by luck. Unfortunately, looks like I should have sent him here, given how weak the field is. Would have had a decent shot at a top 10 overall.
Regardless, given that we sent Garby elsewhere, it's all in for the sprint here and AKA. Field is also pretty strong, but could be worse, so I'll hope for a top 5 or better given that every guy on the roster is a flat domestique here to help him. I obviously screwed something up not bring Kvist or Ranneries, but hopefully that won't backfire too bad. We'll see.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
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Scorchio |
Posted on 26-09-2018 19:48
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Wow, didn't expect that we'd have the pre-race favourite ever this season, but here we are. The clash with Colombia has fallen well for Berhane's chances to defend his title. With just the one mountain stage (and not crazy hard), I guess a fair bit of luck will be involved in terms of daily form deciding things. Although favourite, riders like Penasa and Yates with their acceleraction may well pose a major problem unless Berhane can drop everyone before the finish. Would be more than satisfied if he finishes on any step of the podium, anything less would be under-performing in this field.
JAC is one of the outside favourites for stage 1, hence provides an unusual opportunity for WCC to challenge with a sprint train - Redecker and Harrison would make for an interesting train in this start-list!
So things to potentially look forward to in both stages .
Manager of ISA - Hexacta in the MG
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DaveTwoBob |
Posted on 26-09-2018 20:29
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Only interest is Haller in the sprint, should have sent all my sprinters as they all DNFed Columbia
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jandal7 |
Posted on 26-09-2018 20:35
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Would love two top 5s, hopefully we get a top 5 and a top 10 on each stage and then one on GC. And of course if Jams can get to the front of the peloton and give it a breakaway at home it'd be very good for him and our Indonesian sponsorship.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
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Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 26-09-2018 21:41
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Would be extremely happy if Jurgen VdB can finish in and around the Top 10 in this field where, with some daily form, a Top 10 GC isn't unrealistic. In the Sprint I just want to see Vingerling up there, I don't care where he finishes as long as he actually takes part in the sprint itself. Wouldn't mind a youngster going for the breakaway on either stage as well.
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Booker |
Posted on 26-09-2018 21:51
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3P, time to lead buddy.
Really liking the look of this startlist, hopefully Mr Penasa can hang on until the kick is necessary, and pop his head out in front of the others.
Breakaway win on stage one? Maybe a little Mullen/Barth action?
Looking forward to these reports as ever, tsmoha
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viking90 |
Posted on 26-09-2018 23:01
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Team B&O is finally racing again after a bit of resting!
No big hopes but hopefully we can try breakaways maybe even La Lavendier on the mountains. |
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Yellow Jersey |
Posted on 26-09-2018 23:48
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Man I'm glad we're back in business! I've been very busy so maybe it was for the best but it sure feels nice to come here, after we didn't have the room last year
With what Kiserlovski has been showing this season, I sure hope he can finish on the podium, he's proved to have the legs for it, let's see.. With only 2rd we've brought a mega team, Warbasse also a Top10 contender and Hirchlein and Baltazar have put on amazing showings this season, as it's only one day in the mountains if they ride strong they can provide some valuable points.
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Eden95 |
Posted on 27-09-2018 14:35
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God damn we needed that, what a ride! Goss was so far back behind Serebyakov and Saber going into the final kilometres that I thought he’d be fighting for 5th place on the day. Monsterous ride!
Hopefully the GC lead doesn’t weigh too much on the team tomorrow and when Goss drops I hope we don’t send too many guys back with him; Brenes is gonna need all the help he can get!
Thanks for the report tsmoha, I’m sure you enjoyed making it
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"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett
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Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 27-09-2018 14:36
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You've got to be kidding me
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Ollfardh |
Posted on 27-09-2018 14:37
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So close for Pelucchi, but there's no shame in losing to Goss. What a season he's having, congrats Eden!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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tsmoha |
Posted on 27-09-2018 14:37
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Eden95 wrote:
Thanks for the report tsmoha, I’m sure you enjoyed making it
Of course I did Goss is having a great season before his first decline (iirc) and that's awesome stuff! Congrats.
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