We came all the way to Switzerland to ride this GP Citta di Lugano, a beautiful classic with a lot of hills. The peloton is quite passive today. Nobody attacks and we see Israel and Lithuania (surprisingly) mostly in the front of the peloton.
The most interesting that happened during the race were the massive falls which lead Czepavan and Plegurics (both CZE-SVK) to give up.
This all doesn’t mean that the peloton slows down. Even though there is no breakaway, the race is hard. This is mainly caused by the help of Trinidad & Tobago in front of the peloton. Only 24 strong riders are left after the last long climb. There are still 26k to go. Israel is very active and for a quick moment escapes with 3 riders (Akbirov, Cohen and Byachev).
Israel keeps going and the group shrinks to 15 riders. Interesting: sprinter Raquetas (LTU) is still there.
Israeli domination in the Swiss mountain
Attack by Ashbami (IRN)! Byachev (ISR) immediately follows and also Chan (BEL) joins. We are going to sprint with these 3 riders. Ashbami takes the lead and never gives up this first position.
Division 2 – Tour of Azerbeidjan
Stage 1
There is only 1 Azerbeidjani in this peloto, that’s Akbirov (ISR). This tour consist of 4 stages, 2 flat ones and 2 more difficult ones. Will it be the punchers or will it be the attackers?
In stage 1 the attackers are Varjasevic (SLO-CRO), Kapaara (EST), Estatotulis (LTU), Kumad (IND) and Kapajurvi (FIN). The peloton has difficulties with catching them. Just in the final kilometres they come very close. Kapajurvi (FIN) is the only attacker that manages to stay in front of sprinters Phillian (TTO) and Vlugten (BEL).
Stage 2
If the attackers want to take their chance, they will have to try today. The 5 attackers are Greymill (GBR), Punjal (IND), Kvaerdahl (NOR), Pourayad (IRN) and Mauvicius (LAT), but the peloton doesn’t give them any space. Kazachstan is the most active team in the peloton and they manage to catch the breakaway before the final hill.
On the final hill Lakostas (LTU) and Cohen (ISR) attack, but Vlugten (BEL) catches them. We are going to sprint. Vlugten and Phillian are again the best sprinters. Today Vlugten wins the stage.
Stage 3
The hardest climb will be at the end of this stage. It is one for the punchers. The 6 attackers of the day don’t have any chance today. Trinidad & Tobago and Kazachstan keep the pace high.
On the final hill, Kazachstan starts fast, but their leader is not in the front. Miu (CHI) attacks and nobody is able to follow, neither are Brughini (SWI) and Christiansen (DEN).
Stage 4
The final stage is flat and short. 12 riders are in the breakaway and we don’t expect the peloton to be able to come back. After Toiverin (FIN) takes the intermediate sprint we focus on the stage victory.
The monument of Paris-Roubaix is in the agenda of today for the second division. After a little fight for who’s in the breakaway it turned out to be Haivinen (FIN), Kölzbaum (GER), Raquetas (LTU), Rogarins (LAT) and Abdalari (UAE).
In the peloton mainly China decided the take control. On the first cobbled section their leader Ping (CHI) fell down together with Gatiraud (POR) because of a fall of Pazzetti (SWI). Ping had bad luck and broke his arm. He gave up, so the big favourite won’t compete in this Paris-Roubaix. Now Portugal and Trinidad&Tobago take over control.
The 6 don’t really work together well and on the track just before the final sprint, they come back together.’
Tapiz and Tejevar start sprinting. It is a very close one but Tapiz takes the win!
Division 2 – Hamburg Cyclassics
This flat classic will normally be one for the sprinters. We’ve seen Saikkas (FIN), Phillian (TTO) and Vlugten (BEL) been sprinting great this season. Will it be one of them today? Of will we see a new name in the front?
4 attackers. Wing (CHI), Careira (POR), Domadze (GEO) and world champion Wallstrup (DEN).
In the beginning it were mostly Trinidad & Tobago and the German climbers Tötzler and Raschke in the front of the peloton, but later Belgium and Norway were helping as well.
With 5 kilometers to go, the breakaway has been caught. The sprinttrains can prepare for the lead-out. We see a lot of riders from Norway, Belgium and Trinidad & Tobago, but chaos conquers the final sprint.
In this chaos the sprinters have to find out themselves what is the best timing and the lead-outs justsprint for themselves. Ughor Marcusson (NOR) takes the wheel of Gregorson (DEN). The sprinter from Iceland has the best timing and uses the speed of the other sprinters. Phillian started too early. Vlugten and Jackford (GBR) came from too far.
This tour will be a hard one. After a hilly stage, a tt and a flat stage, there will be 3 mountain stages.
Stage 1
In the attack: Ping (CHI), Glarash (ISR), Al Tashira (UAE), Izurria (COL), Varjasevic (SLO-CRO), Greymill (GBR) and Mauvicius (LAT).
The stage is hilly and the strongest 4 attackers are left. The peloton became smaller, but still contains 55 riders. Norway is setting the pace high. At the end it was not high enough to
Stage 2
An important TT today. It is mainly flat but there are some hills. Perfect for the strong time trial specialist. It turns out to be perfect for the tour riders. Pazzetti (SWI) takes the win by beating the Finnish duo Haivinen-Puikänen.
Stage 3
A strong group in the breakwaway: Cohen (ISR), Güciglu (TUR), Debralevs (LAT), Northton (GBR), Luchador (COL) and Fu (CHI). It will be a sprint tho. Chan (BEL) is the lead-out by Vlugten (BEL). Vlugten had to go from too far, so other sprinters passed him. Näämula (FIN) took the victory.
He took his chance because the other sprinter Saikkas (FIN) didn’t manage to stay in the group today, neither did Seng (CHI), Ashbami (IRN) and Pejzavar (SLO-CRO). Leader of the race Pazzetti (SWI) and favourite of the day Phillian (TTO) gave up today.
As you can see in the classification, Trinidad & Tobago seem to be on their way to make promotion to the first division. For the other promotion the fight is between Germany, Iran, Finland, Lithuania and Denmark.
Could you please reduce the crash ratio? My riders are always crashing. Ping's crash in Paris-Roubaix was a real tragedy, he was the top favourite, the only rider in the world with COB 78. We'll have to hope for the mountains in the Dauphine now, time for Miu to shine again.
The first of the 3 mountain stages: In the attack 12 riders, but the peloton lead by Finland is not slowing down It is mainly flat in the preparation to the final climb and final downhill.
On the final climb, Mont du Chat, there is an attack by Czepavan (CZE-SVK). Is the Czech rider doing this for himself or is it a plan to help Vogdarvan (CZE-SVK)? Germany is taking over and sets a high pace. Bergmann is going so fast that only 7 riders can follow him.
The 8 riders join Czepavan. Now Vogdarvan is setting the pace. Only Mushanikow (KAZ), Bronze (TTO), Papalauskas (LTU) and Czepavan are able to follow the Latvian rider.
Demarage by Vogdarvan! Mushanikow tries to follow but the Latvian is too strong. He is the first one the starts the downhill. Mushanikow is the second one. A bigger group with Haivinen (FIN), Suyoz (COL), Miu (CHI), Bergmann (GER), Fiel (GER), Papalauskas (LTU) and Bronze (TTO) comes together on top of the Mont du Chat.
Stage 5
It is the 3rd stage in which AL Tashira (UAE) is in the attack. This brings him the virtual lead in the points classification and the mountain classification. Other attackers are Ashbami (IRN), Knutsegaard (NOR), Meeting (CHI), Troissent (BEL), Grähl (SWI), Brandsen (DEN), Debralevs (LAT) and Luchador (COL).
When the group has 9 minutes ahead of the peloton, Meeting (CHI) takes the virtual lead, but Lithuania starts to chase and the gaps closes quickly.
Just in front of the last climb, there is a fall with important names: Fiel (GER) and Bronze (TTO) are down! Bronze gives up but Fiel comes back.
The peloton mostly stays together. Ashbami (IRN) was the best in the breakaway. Brandsen was second and the good old Knutsengaard was third.
Stage 6
Final stage, and a hard one, 4 big climbs! Amongst the 7 attackers there Troissent (BEL), Meeting (CHI) and Wacklebold (TTO). Since Bronze (TTO) joined Trinidad & Tobago, Wacklebold is not the leader anymore but Bronze gave up yesterday.
30 riders in the peloton are together at the start of the final climb. Germany setting the pace. The attack by Fiel shows that Fiel today was the best climber. The stage victory goes to Wacklebold.
Division 2 – Giro Dell’Emilia
The race starts with the foundation of a breakaway-group. In this group 9 riders. In the peloton 117 riders left. Näämula (FIN) and Vlugten (BEL) put great effort in front of the peloton. With 30kilometers to go Debralevs (LAT) takes the lead in the peloton. A group of 30 riders is left after the Latvian strength, but China fights back. Miu (CHI) is not in the group in front. Meeting (CHI) and Wing (CHI) manage to bring Miu back. The breakaway has also been caught.
On the penultimate climb Parnotte (BEL) is placing his power-explosion. The French is working for Chan (BEL). The group gets a bit smaller and all the riders have to go full to follow the French rider.
In the downhill it is Lakostas (LTU) that works for Papalauskas (LTU), but when we start the final climb, Chan (BEL) immediately shows his power. On the other side of the road the Swiss equipe with Tourette, Brughini and Pazzetti joins the fight.
Chan is too strong, or did he go too soon? Yes he falls back, now it is Brughini vs Papalauskas. Papalauskas is the one who can keep sprinting till the line. Congratz Lithuania.
Stage 4
1
Dennis Vogdarvan
Czechia-Slovakia
3h42'04
5
2
Gustsav Mushanikow
Kazachstan
+ 36
3
3
Remius Papalauskas
Lithuania
+ 1'14
2
4
Trond Haivinen
Finland
+ 1'51
1
5
Adolf Bergmann
Germany
s.t.
6
Ludowig Fiel
Germany
s.t.
Stage 5
1
Khaleza Ashbami
Iran
4h54'01
5
2
Anders Brandsen
Denmark
+ 2'19
3
3
Bjorn Knutsengaard
Norway
+ 3'20
2
4
Remius Papalauskas
Lithuania
+ 3'39
1
5
Ludowig Fiel
Germany
s.t.
6
Trond Haivinen
Finland
s.t.
Stage 6
1
Daniel Wacklebold
Trinidad & Tobago
3h48'40
5
2
Ludowig Fiel
Germany
+ 2'38
3
3
Remius Papalauskas
Lithuania
+ 2'58
2
4
Dennis Vogdarvan
Czechia-Slovakia
+ 3'10
1
5
Gustsav Mushanikow
Kazachstan
+ 3'25
6
Marton Parnotte
Belgium
+ 3'39
GC
1
Dennis Vogdarvan
Czechia-Slovakia
21h07'25
12
2
Gustsav Mushanikow
Kazachstan
+ 1'04
10
3
Remius Papalauskas
Lithuania
+ 1'26
8
4
Ludowig Fiel
Germany
+ 1'41
7
5
Daniel Wacklebold
Trinidad & Tobago
+ 2'10
6
6
Trond Haivinen
Finland
+ 2'52
5
7
Iñiko Suyoz
Colombia
+ 3'42
4
8
Mei-Tin Miu
China
+ 4'14
3
9
Belarus Rejsitsou
Latvia
+ 4'37
2
10
Marton Parnotte
Belgium
+ 5'00
1
11
Löwik Christiansen
Denmark
+ 5'40
12
Adolf Bergmann
Germany
+ 5'47
13
Kristian Trolhus
Norway
+ 6'16
14
Mehdi Rezaideh
Iran
+ 6'22
15
Edhian Khaidnaoudi
Iran
+ 6'33
Points
1
Rob Greymill
Great Britain
38
3
2
Anders Brandsen
Denmark
37
2
3
United Arab Emirates Al Tashira
Division 3.6
37
1
Mountain
1
United Arab Emirates Al Tashira
Division 3.6
110
3
2
Aketza Izurria
Colombia
108
2
3
William Meeting
China
85
1
Giro dell'Emilia
1
Remius Papalauskas
Lithuania
4h38'37
12
2
Aquarella Brughini
Swiss
s.t.
10
3
Morino Pazzetti
Swiss
s.t.
8
4
Daniel Wacklebold
Trinidad & Tobago
s.t.
7
5
Trond Haivinen
Finland
s.t.
6
6
Woyun Chan
Belgium
+ 22
5
7
Fong Seng
China
s.t.
4
8
Löwik Christiansen
Denmark
s.t.
3
9
Anders Brandsen
Denmark
s.t.
2
10
Ernsts Naurags
Latvia
+ 44
1
11
Iñiko Suyoz
Colombia
+ 1'03
12
Thimo Raschke
Germany
+ 1'12
13
Novak Plucic
Slovenia-Croatia
s.t.
14
Jules Tourette
Swiss
s.t.
15
Amar Cohen
Israel
s.t.
Results division 2:
Promotion to division 1: Trinidad & Tobago and Lithuania
Degradation to division 3a: Portugal and Slovenia-Croatia
Result division 3b:
Promotion division 3a: Georgia and India
Degradation to division 3c: Guatamala, Serbia and Ivory Cost
What a race for us! A perfect team tactic with the 1-2 punch getting Vogdarvan the stage and GC in the Dauphine!
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
Decent result in the last race by Fong Peng, but a disappoining Dauphine for China, like most of the season. We were supposed to be in contention for promotion. And I was joking about the crashes, of course.
For division 1 the competition starts today. Riders trained towards this moment. Most of them can’t wait to start to fight for the victory. The first attackers were Troshkov (RUS), Patchbury (CAN) and Espinoza (MEX). The peloton saw that they are 3 strong time trial specialists, so it was too dangerous to let the 3 ride away.
The 2 new attackers are Asprowski (POL) and Koszály (HUN), but the peloton with Canada, Italy and Brazil relaying in the front is too strong. The breakaway doesn’t get any chance, neither do the late attacks by Pfächtl (AUT) and Jeanduelle (LUX). The attack by Pryvatchuk (UKR) is succesfull though. The Ukranian is strong and almost makes it before the pure sprinters.
It looks like Australia is preparing a sprinters-train. Covestone (AUS) is the lead-out for Wolves (AUS). The Italians want to compete but the lead-out by Quizzello (ITA) for Graduato (ITA) was not very well timed. Wolves (AUS) wins this classic in his own country.
Division 1 - Tirreno-Adriatico
Stage 1
Mexico, Italy and Euskal Herria are making a good start in the TTT. However Russia is the smartest. They use Artiskiy (RUS) for the first part and they ride the rest of the TTT with 5 riders.
The Netherlands set the first time in middle of the TTT, but both Karst (NED) and POldering (NED) loose contact too soon. Then there is world champion TTT France, but it looks like this one is going to be for Russia.
But then there is Brazil. They humiliate the rest with a sparkling time. 19 sec faster than the Russians! Who will be their leader? Beliz? Luciano Junior? Fanolito? Gapoeirinho?
Stage 2
9 riders in the breakaway; Kapuchov (UKR), Mora Polazo (MEX), Voux (CAN), Pjarngren (SWD), Hung (KOR), Del Pronto (ESP), Banderson (USA), Ayaze (ERI) and O’Bannell (IRL) Poland and Brazil and USA are setting the pace in the peloton, but the 9 attackers are too strong.
Mora Polazo (MEX) tries to escape from the sprint in the breakaway, but Kapuchov (UKR) keeps the group together. Hung (KOR) probably is the fastest sprinter in the breakawaygroup, but he is the first one that starts his sprint. Ayaze (ERI) is in his wheel and takes the win.
Interesting: because of a gap in the peloton, a group of sprinters and O’Darrell (USA) take 30 seconds. Olivado (ESP) and Hughson (AUS) gave up today.
Stage 3
Important stage today, the first mountain stage of the season. In the attack 8 riders with some very interesting names: Ishota (JPN) and Gozpellazar (EUK) joined the breakaway. Also Espinoza (MEX) Svebnik (POL), Masso (ARG), Parker (IRL), Mosuya (ERI) and Dean (SAR).
In the middle of the stage Polderink (NED), Dodger (FIJ), Rovoyko (UKR) and Collin (CAN) join the breakaway.
Team France and Russia try to limit the difference. At the start of the final climb it is just 1 minute.
The breakaway keeps an advantage, especially Polderink and Rovoyko are strong, but Huvetskov and Grovayev (RUS) are catching the breakaway. Then Silberstein (AUT) is setting the pace and the groups gets very small. When Rosarte (ESP) takes the lead, there are only 11 climbers left. The Spaniard keeps going and nobody is able to follow him.
The hills are short but very steep. Dumovic (POL) has problems with this. On the final climb Polderinks (NED) attacks with De Las Fallas (ARG) and Cucharra (ESP) in his wheel. It goes too fast for Cucharra and later also De Las Fallas collapses. Polderink wins.
Time loss by Quechado (EUK), Dumovic (POL) and Grovayev (RUS).
Stage 5
No victory for world champion ITT Paireles de Souza (BRA) this time. Mexico and Spain are dominating this tt. Rosarte takes the GC.
Division 3 – E3 Harelbeke
In division 2, this race was dominated by Izurria (COL), Emschkashvili (GEO) and Bergmann (GER). 3 riders that were in the breakaway. This motivates the teams in division 1 to be in the breakaway as well.
11 riders are attacking, but the peloton with Australia and the Netherlands see the danger and start chasing them. After 60km everyone is back together. The new breakawaygroup only consists of Daivu (FIJ), Kaile (ERI) and O’Darrell (USA).
Argentina, Australia and Netherlands keep chasing them and with 62km to go the group starts splitting. On the Taaienberg the Netherlands keep setting the pace. Want, Polderink and Tamvaren take some riders from Argentina, Australia, Croichard (FRA) and Mora Polazo (MEX) with them.
The other favourites join this small group on the Oude Kwaremont. Now the group consists of 21 riders.
All the favourites are together. Masso (ARG) is the first one starting to sprint, but he is going from too far and he is beaten by the sprinters in the group. Tamvaren (NED) seems to win, but Graduato (ITA) is coming close. Who is it?
We are going to rider a hilly classic near Lugano. Fun fact: Tuscher (ITA) is the only Swiss rider in this peloton. The breakaway is gone quickly and contains quite some good riders. Among the 10 attackers are Taco (EUK), Fanolito (BRA), Dodger (FIJ), Ishota (JPN), Huvetskov (RUS) and Tashnew (AUS).
The Netherlands, The USA and Italy are limiting the difference.
The race is hard, it keeps going up and down and the peloton get’s smaller at every hill. The speed must stay high, because there are strong riders in the breakaway.
Huvetsko, Fanolito, Tashnew and Ishota are left and in the background there is a peloton only consisting of 20 riders. Fanolito is the strongest and escapes in the last 15 km. Will he win this race with a solo?
In the peloton is Polderink (NED) working for Schreuder (NED). Attack by Scapozzini (ITA)! Schreuder, Tuscher, Rosarte (ESP), Manzana (ECU) and Cucharra (ESP) follow.
Ukrain and Gallow (USA) who’s working for Shatkin (USA) bring back the rest and this makes the group slow down. Fanolito takes the advantages and wins this classic.
Division 1 – Tour d’Azerbeidjan
Stage 1
No Azerbeidjani’s in this race, no home riders. There are six attackers though. It was hard to get away with a group of six, but Abreu (ESP), Mora Polazo (MEX), Mestalla (ECU), Rovoyko (UKR), Kamarek (POL) and Uko (JPN) managed to get away.
It’s going to be a mass sprint anyway. It is Australia vs Argentina. Argentina wins the fight and Fernanda (ARG) is doing a perfect lead-outfor Vazquez (ARG). It’s a close finish, but the Argentinian takes the win. Good teamwork!
Stage 2
Canada and Ukrain are chasing the breakaway, so on this hilly stage we are going to see a strong sprinter or puncher to win this stage? It seems like we do.
And indeed it is a chaotic sprint with a fight between strong sprinters Shatkin (USA) and Schreuder (NED).’
Stage 3
We will finish on a steep hill today. In the breakaway 7 brave riders. Amongst them Coglione (ITA) and Gozpellazar (EUK). Two young tourriders that will meet eachother more in the future. Also Chagniapo (ERI) and Cucharra (ESP) are in the breakaway.
Ukrain and Argentina are leading the peloton well and the peloton is catching the breakaway on the final hill.
Gallow (USA) starts accelerating from the start of the climb and keeps doing that until the end. Sauverent (CAN) is coming close but the American is clearly the strongest today. Good results by Tuscher (ITA), Scappozzini (ITA), the good old Svalde (SWD) and Polderink as well.
Stage 4
Vazquez (ARG) beats Wolves (AUS), Quizzello (ITA) and Turtle (CAN) in the final sprint, but there was a breakawaygroup before. In this group consisting of 8 riders, Artiskiy (RUS) was stronger than other attackers, like Parker (IRE) and Uko (JPN).
Division 1 – Paris – Roubaix
The monument in this season is Paris-Roubaix. The hell of the North and to make it even worse, it’s raining all day today. Will it be home-rider Croichard (FRA)? Or will it be the winner of the E3 Tamvaren (NED)?
The only attacker left is Malongay (ERI) when Mushkin (UKR) start to test his legs. Tamvaren (NED) quickly follows.
Attack by Tamvaren! Chermenkin (POL) quickly counter-attacks and then we have only 10 favourites left: Mushkin (UKR), Tamvaren (NED), Sadukay (ERI), Mora Polazo (MEX), Etxaturrai, Laizake (EUK), Chermenkin (POL), Masso (ARG), Croichard (FRA) and Olivado (ESP).
Attacks by Croichard (FRA) and Etxaturria (EUK) don’t succeed and later a group with Quarker (USA), Kamarek (POL), Weuerstadt (LUX) and Rawinskiy (BLR) join.
Sorry I wasn't able to keep up the work and keep updating this story game. I will not continue making reports (as you might have guessed from the activity of this thread..) but if you are still interested, contact me and I'll involve you anyway.
