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Viana do Castelo Discussion
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 15-10-2023 11:01
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Team Manager
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.
 Viana do Castelo
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Preview
While many of PCT’s finest cobblers will be at the concurrently running Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a nonetheless strong field of riders has gathered in Portugal for one of the more unique races of the calendar: the Viana do Castelo.
Packed not only with lots of tough cobbles, but a circuit over a few small and one big and steep hill, it’s perfectly suited to those riders that combine both skills. At over 200km and with no less than six rounds up the climb, you’ll likely need some endurance, too.
| FL | MO | HI | ST | RS | CO | SP | AC | DH |  Benoot | 71 | 75 | 81 | 75 | 74 | 76 | 69 | 71 | 66 |  Debesay | 75 | 67 | 74 | 75 | 79 | 79 | 69 | 78 | 74 |  Gaday | 71 | 67 | 75 | 75 | 72 | 78 | 71 | 73 | 64 |  David | 73 | 61 | 74 | 75 | 73 | 77 | 69 | 72 | 69 |  Jacobs | 76 | 60 | 69 | 77 | 76 | 78 | 67 | 67 | 73 |  Ulloa | 72 | 66 | 70 | 73 | 72 | 77 | 68 | 68 | 64 |  Pidcock | 76 | 74 | 75 | 74 | 77 | 73 | 73 | 80 | 82 | | Owen | 73 | 65 | 69 | 73 | 71 | 78 | 64 | 71 | 74 |
Four of last year’s Top 5 have returned, and three of them find themselves near the top of the list of favorites. Benoot finished “only” 5th last year, but he returns as perhaps the biggest favorite to try and improve on that. There are better pure cobblestone riders in this tier, but no one comes close to his prowess on the climbs.
David and Gaday finished second and third last year – we’ll get to the winner in a bit –, and they form the top tier of hybrids alongside perhaps the second biggest favorite: Debesay is the best cobbles rider of the field, with the highest resistance and also climbes pretty well.
Jacobs is probably the second best cobbler, but lacks some of the climbing legs. Ulloa and Owen – a strong complement to Gaday for Strava – are stronger in that area, but clearly lack the energy skills of the other riders in this group. And then we have Pidcock, who doesn’t excel in either hill or cobble stat, but has an excellent combination with absolute elite downhill skills that could come in very handy here, as well as the fastest finish of any of the top contenders.
| FL | MO | HI | ST | RS | CO | SP | AC | DH |  Trentin | 71 | 57 | 71 | 71 | 66 | 78 | 72 | 71 | 53 |  Breen | 76 | 61 | 69 | 70 | 70 | 77 | 72 | 70 | 65 |  Lampaert | 75 | 60 | 66 | 74 | 73 | 78 | 60 | 61 | 67 |  Chatarunga | 72 | 56 | 67 | 79 | 72 | 77 | 70 | 68 | 56 | | Schäppi | 72 | 64 | 67 | 74 | 72 | 76 | 66 | 68 | 60 |  Taubel | 73 | 59 | 65 | 69 | 73 | 78 | 61 | 64 | 74 | | Schoonbroodt | 72 | 63 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 74 | 68 | 72 | 74 | | Marzuki | 70 | 71 | 74 | 71 | 72 | 74 | 72 | 72 | 71 |  Girmay | 74 | 64 | 70 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 74 | 75 | 71 |  Schmid | 72 | 74 | 77 | 71 | 77 | 69 | 70 | 77 | 74 |  Meurisse | 73 | 74 | 77 | 74 | 74 | 68 | 71 | 78 | 68 | | Kozhatayev | 74 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 75 | 70 | 52 | 69 | 74 | | Jorgenson | 72 | 77 | 74 | 77 | 76 | 68 | 65 | 70 | 69 |
In the second tier, we find the remaining better cobble riders who have distinct weaknesses, either in the energy stats ( Trentin, Breen), on climbs ( Lampaert, Chatarunga) or both ( Taubel), as well as Schäppi, who’s well-rounded enough, but not as strong on cobbles as some of the others.
Then we have the second tier of hybrids, including Schoonbroodt and Marzuki, who add to a very strong Sauber team, and youngster Girmay. He’ll be a favorite in this race for years to come, but we’ll see how ready he is at this early point in his career.
I’ve mentioned that the defending champion of this race is in here, too, and that’s Meurisse. He won with a long range attack, going clear some 40kms from the finish and just never getting caught. Even if he may have needed such an unconventional way to get there, it shows that high-end cobble skills aren’t a prerequisite to do well here. This should be plenty motivation for Schmid, who’s basically a Meurisse clone in terms of stats while adding some downhill skills. And even climbers Kozhatayev and Jorgenson, the latter of whom brings one of the best stamina-resistance combinations of the entire field to the table, might have a shot here.
Wait … you know there’s cobbles here, right? | FL | MO | HI | ST | RS | CO | SP | AC | DH | | Higuita | 69 | 78 | 79 | 76 | 78 | 60 | 66 | 75 | 64 | | Turgis | 73 | 67 | 79 | 76 | 78 | 65 | 70 | 77 | 67 | | Dyrnes | 68 | 72 | 78 | 73 | 73 | 54 | 65 | 77 | 74 | | Lopez | 66 | 78 | 75 | 71 | 72 | 55 | 60 | 78 | 64 |  Morin | 70 | 65 | 78 | 75 | 73 | 63 | 69 | 76 | 67 | | Grossschartner | 67 | 74 | 77 | 72 | 73 | 50 | 62 | 72 | 68 | | Lienhard | 73 | 66 | 75 | 77 | 72 | 55 | 73 | 76 | 69 |
You might get away without high-end cobble skills, but you should have, like … some cobble skills, right? Well, these guys don’t seem to think so, and that assumption isn’t founded on nothing. Cedevita’s Lucas Eriksson, now at Tafjord Kraft, finished 6th here last year and Lierse’s Giovanni Aleotti as well as Trans Looney Tunes’ Roman Senyenov turned their early morning breakaway appearance into Top 15 finishes, and none of them are of too much use on cobbles. Still, it seems like a gamble to spend two valuable race days for the likes of Higuita or Turgis on this race. We will find out if it was worth it together.
 Spoiler [table]Smirnovs Andris Crabbe-CC Chevigny
Chatarunga Sameera Crabbe-CC Chevigny
Rathe Jakob Crabbe-CC Chevigny
Devriendt Tom Crabbe-CC Chevigny
Kireva Albert Crabbe-CC Chevigny
Van Den Bossche Fabio Crabbe-CC Chevigny
Rubenis Pauls Crabbe-CC Chevigny
Berckmoes Jenno Crabbe-CC Chevigny
Debesay Mekseb DuckDuckGo - Everesting
Zegklis Nikolaos DuckDuckGo - Everesting
Orosco Kemp DuckDuckGo - Everesting
Kusi Clement DuckDuckGo - Everesting
Ponce Joel DuckDuckGo - Everesting
Diaz Suarez Andy Alihonay DuckDuckGo - Everesting
Lunder Eirik Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Van Stayen Michael Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Wandahl Frederik Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Tjotta Martin Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Fjellheim Henrik Teslo Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Bourgoyne Lucas Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Loland Sakarias Koller Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Della Lunga Francesco Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Morin Emmanuel Hilcona Racing Team
Grmay Tsgabu Gebremaryam Hilcona Racing Team
Delco Lorenzo Hilcona Racing Team
Bablidze Irakli Hilcona Racing Team
Kuypers Gerben Hilcona Racing Team
Aebi Antoine Hilcona Racing Team
Huppertz Joshua Hilcona Racing Team
Richardson Alexander Hilcona Racing Team
Lienhard Fabian JEWA TIROL
Grossschartner Felix JEWA TIROL
Taubel Christoph JEWA TIROL
Pernsteiner Hermann JEWA TIROL
Livyns Arjen JEWA TIROL
Muhlberger Gregor JEWA TIROL
Schlechter Pit JEWA TIROL
Laurance Axel JEWA TIROL
Schmid Mauro Jura GIANTS
Tediashvili Giorgi Jura GIANTS
Marchewka Krzysztof Jura GIANTS
Kosic Nejc Jura GIANTS
Bakke Christophersen Cedric Jura GIANTS
Page Hugo Jura GIANTS
Raugala Gustas Jura GIANTS
Turgis Anthony Lampre - Pinarello
Meurisse Xandro Lampre - Pinarello
Riesebeek Oscar Lampre - Pinarello
De Vos Adam Lampre - Pinarello
Milan Jonathan Lampre - Pinarello
Camrda Karel Lampre - Pinarello
Higuita Sergio Los Pollos Hermanos
Ulloa Jose Gerardo Los Pollos Hermanos
Ruiz Robinson Steven Los Pollos Hermanos
Beltran Guillermo Andres Los Pollos Hermanos
Pira Yesid Albeiro Los Pollos Hermanos
Galvan Ramirez Oscar Samuel Los Pollos Hermanos
Trentin Matteo Saeco
McLay Dan Saeco
Zambanini Edoardo Saeco
Silva Pedro Saeco
Verre Alessandro Saeco
Blanca Pareja Nichol Saeco
Franco Alejandro Saeco
Petrucci Mattia Saeco
David Tom Sauber Petronas Racing
Schoonbroodt Bob Sauber Petronas Racing
Marzuki Nur Amirul Sauber Petronas Racing
Dulanjana Sachin Sauber Petronas Racing
Pellaud Simon Sauber Petronas Racing
Putti Riccardo Sauber Petronas Racing
Rossi Diego Sauber Petronas Racing
Chhetri Ajay Pandit Sauber Petronas Racing
Benoot Tiesj Sony - Force India
Kozhatayev Bakhtiyar Sony - Force India
Shirota Yamato Sony - Force India
Tratnik Jan Sony - Force India
Goh Choon Huat Sony - Force India
Van Dijke Mick Sony - Force India
Van Dijke Tim Sony - Force India
Hayter Leo Sony - Force India
Lampaert Yves Stela-Vita
Sarreau Marc Stela-Vita
Merlier Tim Stela-Vita
Wohrer David Stela-Vita
Allegaert Piet Stela-Vita
Touze Damien Stela-Vita
Urcelay Adria Stela-Vita
Batmunkh Maral-Erdene Stela-Vita
Gaday Lucas Manuel Strava
Owen Logan Strava
Sanikwathi Thanawut Strava
Sirironnachai Sarawut Strava
Sbaragli Kristian Strava
Nielsen Joanis Albert Strava
Dyrnes Kristian Tafjord Kraft
Breen Vegard Tafjord Kraft
Bertilsson Christian Tafjord Kraft
Hoem Bjorn Tore Tafjord Kraft
Belevics Arturs Tafjord Kraft
Laengen Vegard Stake Tafjord Kraft
Jacobs Johan Team UBS - Tissot
Schir Thery Team UBS - Tissot
Schäppi Martin Team UBS - Tissot
Fominykh Daniil Team UBS - Tissot
Stöckli Jan Team UBS - Tissot
Blum Elia Team UBS - Tissot
Pidcock Thomas Xero Racing
Van Zyl Johann Xero Racing
Hamza Yacine Xero Racing
Boileau Alan Xero Racing
Duyvesteyn Kees Xero Racing
Lazkano Oier Xero Racing
Jorgenson Matteo Zwift Pro Cycling
Lopez Juan Pedro Zwift Pro Cycling
Girmay Biniam Zwift Pro Cycling
Stroll Lewis Zwift Pro Cycling
Ryuki Uga Zwift Pro Cycling
Gloag Thomas Zwift Pro Cycling
Canal Carlos Zwift Pro Cycling[/table] . |
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 15-10-2023 11:16
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Team Manager
Posts: 6494
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1090.00
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You can bet on the outcome, too!
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 15-10-2023 11:25
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World Champion
Posts: 11356
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Between Debesay, Meurisse, Pidcock, Higuita and Dyrnes I'm hoping for a Xero alumni 1-5 finish 
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 15-10-2023 12:16
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World Champion
Posts: 14501
Joined: 08-08-2011
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Definitely some riders here I won't miss at Omloop!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 15-10-2023 14:59
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2855
Joined: 07-08-2011
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The disrespect of not putting Meurisse in favourites, tarnishes a otherwise perfectly good preview Time for my favourite race of the year cannot wait!
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 15-10-2023 15:16
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4548
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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First time ever we enter this race I often treated as "insane".
And looking at the startlist, we were (unfortunately?) not the only ones being inspired by Meurisse's successful appearances here, sending a puncheur instead of a cobbler as our leader. However, the game doesn't really seem to like the puncheurs given the bibs, so we'll see how it goes.
Given the pretty small field and the lack of strong helpers due to Omloop clashing, I still hope that mid-range attacks can be successful - and I obviously hope Schmid not only is a Meurisse clone in terms of stats, but also in terms of result 
Benoot should be the clear-cut favorite (as last year), but then it's a pretty open race. Good luck to all, and looking forward to be part of this insanity for the first time - I hope I won't regret it in 24h or so
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 29-09-2024 00:20
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 15-10-2023 19:00
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3280
Joined: 20-04-2020
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Seeing Ulloa as a favourite for the first time ever is fun  But Higuita might even be a better choice depending on how the race goes. Nevertheless it's a race where I feel we have nothing to lose, and didn't waste any 2 rd's as I didn't have any other racedays for Higuita
Thanks for the preview!
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 15-10-2023 19:55
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Team Leader
Posts: 6004
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Took a big gamble choosing this race but having Debesay on the team I couldnt resist it, but we need a top result to make it count. Hopefully our first noteworthy result comes from here.
Thanks for the preview cunego!
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 16-10-2023 09:11
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11583
Joined: 27-07-2015
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Benoot top favourite again, probably means we won't win for sure
It's a very unpredictable race, so one can never be sure of a good result here. Just hope we can match last year's result or better it if possible. That should be fine I think.
Thanks for the preview cunego
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 16-10-2023 09:32
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In my debut season we finished 5th and 6th here, so I have good memories from this race. I would sign immediately for a top-10 with Chatarunga this year
Thanks cunego for the preview!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 16-10-2023 09:53
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Team Manager
Posts: 6494
Joined: 14-09-2008
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whitejersey wrote:
The disrespect of not putting Meurisse in favourites, tarnishes a otherwise perfectly good preview Time for my favourite race of the year cannot wait!
I was really unsure how to handle Meurisse and Schmid, but given that for instance Bewley finished 4th here last year, and that I'm not sure how reliable long solo wins are, I went a bit conservative - up to him to prove me wrong
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| redordead |
Posted on 16-10-2023 11:01
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4800
Joined: 18-10-2017
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Pidcock really needs to show up here for Xero. Viana is always interesting with most of the top dogs in Omloop.
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| Blasing |
Posted on 16-10-2023 13:59
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Neo-Pro
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Pleasant surprise by Lyvins, but dissapointing by Schlechter and Taubel. Guess it was too hilly for them.
Manager of JEWA TIROL Cycling Team
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 16-10-2023 14:01
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Classics Specialist
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Congratulations Abhishek!
We started the race perfectly by sending our third best rider in the break (Ruiz), and nice to he see scored one point by finishing 24th. I feel like Ulloa and Higuita didn't really cooperate very well and that cost us a top-10 or perhaps top-5. Still a fun and unique race to follow, also thanks to the great reporting by cunego
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 16-10-2023 14:16
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What a race!
Very unique and entertaning indeed, thank you for the report, and congrats Abhishek!
“...the secret of the Great Stories is that they have no secrets. The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again. The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably."
A. Roy
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 16-10-2023 14:33
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Great report cunego!
Good breakaway appearances for Kireva and VdBossche, resulting in some points for Kireva. Chatarunga a bit below expectations, I hope he can shine in the C2 races.
Congrats Abhi!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 16-10-2023 14:49
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Directeur Sportif
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So many cool riders in the Top 10, and Pidcock. Congrats Abhi!
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| knockout |
Posted on 16-10-2023 15:30
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Grand Tour Champion
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This. Also yay to see the conglomerate dominating here
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 16-10-2023 15:40
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World Champion
Posts: 14501
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You guys forfaited that title! Earn it back!
Good race, good betting result
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 16-10-2023 18:24
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Sprinter
Posts: 1901
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Well that result is not what you wanna see, but exciting race otherwise. Congrats Abhi!
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