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GP Kigali Discussion
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 20-04-2020 03:04
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3999
Joined: 26-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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The 5th season now for one of the cobble races growing in popularity as we head down to the capital of Rwanda. Starting out as a C1 race won back to back seasons by my own Danny Summerhill then Marcus Burghardt. Now it is in it's second season as a HC race, won last year by Pieter Vanspeybrouck.
One of the more difficult cobbled races to partake in as there is a repeated cobbled climb, that is short but challenging. The riders will need to accomplish this feat 15 times with a second short ascent just following 14 of those painful cobbled sections. The finish lies within this cobbled sector and will make any sort of final sprint very challenging as riders may struggle with their traction while trying to put down as much power as they can. That said this race has only seen a sprint finish once, and that was only between two riders who had got away from the field.
The favorites today will certainly be those riders who have are great on the cobbles. A little bit of confidence on the hills won't hurt, nor will some resistance to the fatigue put in the legs from both climbs and cobbles.
| | | | | | | | | Rider | CO | HL | RS | Rider | CO | HL | RS |  Vanspeybrouck | 82 | 71 | 71 |  Debesay | 77 | 74 | 79 |  Spengler | 82 | 64 | 73 |  Ferreira | 79 | 68 | 70 |  Zepuntke | 81 | 69 | 72 |  Breen | 78 | 70 | 72 |  Baugnies | 80 | 72 | 73 |  Fenn | 79 | 61 | 71 |  Vanbilsen | 80 | 69 | 74 | Sinkeldam | 77 | 75 | 70 |  Stallaert | 81 | 67 | 68 | Bohli | 77 | 68 | 75 |  Nolf | 80 | 66 | 72 | Albert | 77 | 68 | 72 |
The top favorite today has to be returning champion Pieter Vanspeybrouck, he has top notch ability on the cobbles with one of the better efforts over hills and otherwise well rounded talents for this kind of race. The downhill section isn't much, but he is elite in this category as well especially compared to other top rivals.
Our group of contenders for the victory today and upset of Vanspeybrouck is led by Spengler, who also excels on the cobbles, and is very solid on the flats. The short climbs might cause him problems, but if he can overcome that he has as good of shot as anyone. Zepuntke is next on my list of favorites, he too excels on the cobbles, and is reasonable on the hills. There really won't be much to separate these top group of riders.
There have been several really strong finishes for Baugnies who was runner up last season and also has a 3rd place finish here as well. He may not quite make the cut for the top group of favorites, but his experience and past results really should put him as one of the top threats. With him I'll add Vanbilsen who has a pair of top 10 finishes here as well, and Stallaert who will be looking to prove his worth on these cobbles.
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 20-04-2020 04:28
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
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Oh God. A win goal and Summerhill isn't here. VSB is the favorite and he has one of the strongest helpers. This can't possibly actually go well...
Something tells me the real favorite is Baugnies. It's always Baugnies.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 00:50
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 20-04-2020 05:11
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
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Last year Debesay dropped the ball. Last race Debesay dropped the ball. Redemption time here in the closest thing to a home race he has in PCT, and one of the races that suits him most. Hopefully the HI stat plays a significant part but I'm not sure. A solid top 10 would be very much appreciated as we haven't managed that enough, but even more could be possible.
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."
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 20-04-2020 06:11
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Team Leader
Posts: 7406
Joined: 14-07-2015
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Ferreira did well last race - just hope his form continues.
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 20-04-2020 07:02
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3999
Joined: 26-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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jandal7 wrote:
Last year Debesay dropped the ball. Last race Debesay dropped the ball. Redemption time here in the closest thing to a home race he has in PCT, and one of the races that suits him most. Hopefully the HI stat plays a significant part but I'm not sure. A solid top 10 would be very much appreciated as we haven't managed that enough, but even more could be possible.
I'm scared of his 77 Cob stat, but still rated him pretty highly due to the other skills he possess. Really hoping he is the guy to excite the race.
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 20-04-2020 07:23
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
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Kentaurus wrote:
jandal7 wrote:
Last year Debesay dropped the ball. Last race Debesay dropped the ball. Redemption time here in the closest thing to a home race he has in PCT, and one of the races that suits him most. Hopefully the HI stat plays a significant part but I'm not sure. A solid top 10 would be very much appreciated as we haven't managed that enough, but even more could be possible.
I'm scared of his 77 Cob stat, but still rated him pretty highly due to the other skills he possess. Really hoping he is the guy to excite the race.
I hope you're right, and you're not buttering me up and getting me excited just to be disappointed by your report  I'd be happy if he excites the race, so long as it isn't from 100km again 
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
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 20-04-2020 07:58
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3999
Joined: 26-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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I don't run the race until it's time... so I have no clue, race won't be run until tomorrow. Allows me to be fairly part of the discussion about the race without any sort of bias.
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 20-04-2020 08:48
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
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Zepuntke did well in his last race, hopefully he continues his form!
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 20-04-2020 08:58
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
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Personally I love these kind of cobble races. As Europcar manager, not so much 
This is the only race of the season, where we don't expect a single point. Come on guys! |
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 20-04-2020 09:52
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Team Leader
Posts: 6036
Joined: 20-07-2008
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We have no chances whatsoever here. A man in the break will already be an outstanding achievment
Vanspeyboruck and Baugnies seem to be the men to look out for, but I'm rooting for Campari who bring our former rider Ferreira.
Good luck you guys! Thanks for the preview Kent!
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| Shonak |
Posted on 20-04-2020 10:00
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
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Indeed it is first rule of ManGame.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 20-04-2020 10:06
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Team Leader
Posts: 7406
Joined: 14-07-2015
PCM$: 599.00
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Gustavovskiy wrote:
We have no chances whatsoever here. A man in the break will already be an outstanding achievment
Vanspeyboruck and Baugnies seem to be the men to look out for, but I'm rooting for Campari who bring our former rider Ferreira.
Good luck you guys! Thanks for the preview Kent!
Thanks 
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 20-04-2020 10:21
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Gotta love him
Also as someone is obliged to say when you pop up in MG forums, you better be applying for next season
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
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 20-04-2020 11:21
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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After the disaster in last race, we need something good here.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 21-04-2020 07:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3999
Joined: 26-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Okay so working on the report now, I can happily say that every team did have at least one rider finish the race...
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 21-04-2020 07:31
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
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There is nothing cooler than the Mur de Kigali!
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 21-04-2020 07:53
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Kentaurus wrote:
Okay so working on the report now, I can happily say that every team did have at least one rider finish the race...
Berg Cycles are popping open the champagne already
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| fjhoekie |
Posted on 21-04-2020 09:12
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4476
Joined: 25-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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At least Young did finish...
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game |
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 21-04-2020 10:24
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Team Leader
Posts: 7406
Joined: 14-07-2015
PCM$: 599.00
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Not our race, having previously good result on the cob's, have to pull the short straw at some point so fair enough.
A few points from Ricardo Ferreira, Clement Lhotellerie and Patrick Naud will prevent a zero pointer, but clearly below my pre-race expectations
Thanks for the report, always a nightmare to report those circuit races on hard profiles with an unholy mix of leaders and lapped riders.
congratz to Bushwacker/UBS
Edited by Tamijo on 21-04-2020 10:29
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 21-04-2020 10:33
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
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Three riders in the top fifteen is very good once again. Marcos rider of the race for me, incredible how he managed to hang on.
Congrats UBS, and many thanks Kentaurus for the report, obviously a very difficult one but you did great!
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