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GP Wallonie Discussion
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| seancoll |
Posted on 05-01-2024 22:45
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Domestique
Posts: 481
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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 GP Wallonie
Chaudfontain – Namur (Citadelle)
196.6km
We journey to Belgium for one of the more exciting finishes in the HC Calendar. We’ve got a full set of 24 teams (21 – PCT and 3 – CT) ready to take on the almost 200KM. The undulating course should come down to the final 3 climbs, but there’s lost of opportunities for folks to jump away from the peloton.
History
One of the newer races in the calendar, we’ve only seen 4 previous winners:
| 2022 | Tejay Van Garderen | | 2021 | Alexey Lutsenko | | 2020 | Michal Kwiatkowski | | 2019 | Dimitri Claeys |
With the race in only its second year at the HC level and Van Garderen taking a decline since last year’s win, we expect to see a new victor. Still, we see 3 of last year’s top 5 return including the defending champion Van Garderen. Meurisse was 2nd last year and has been on a hot streak recently. Areruya is also coming off a successful Tour de Pologne and a 5th place in 2022. Bobridge also returns to this race after a runner-up placement in 2020. Bilbao is the final returnee with a top 5 finish back in the race’s inaugural edition.
| Name | FL | MO | HI | ST | RS | SP | AC | FG | DH |  Kelderman | 70 | 71 | 82 | 80 | 75 | 67 | 72 | 77 | 71 |  Benoot | 71 | 75 | 81 | 75 | 74 | 69 | 71 | 62 | 66 |  Bobridge | 71 | 67 | 81 | 71 | 71 | 67 | 77 | 64 | 64 |  Buchmann | 71 | 76 | 81 | 73 | 74 | 65 | 73 | 67 | 70 |  Areruya | 72 | 81 | 81 | 76 | 78 | 68 | 76 | 75 | 60 |  Gesbert | 71 | 74 | 80 | 80 | 78 | 68 | 73 | 76 | 66 |  Moscon | 71 | 73 | 80 | 76 | 77 | 59 | 73 | 71 | 69 |  Boswell | 70 | 71 | 80 | 77 | 73 | 65 | 76 | 72 | 68 |  Beltran | 68 | 78 | 80 | 71 | 70 | 65 | 74 | 77 | 73 | | Müller | 70 | 67 | 80 | 76 | 71 | 66 | 73 | 75 | 63 |  Waeytens | 70 | 71 | 80 | 72 | 70 | 66 | 73 | 76 | 75 |  Turgis | 73 | 67 | 79 | 76 | 78 | 70 | 77 | 83 | 67 | | Meurisse | 73 | 74 | 77 | 74 | 74 | 71 | 78 | 72 | 68 |
A huge number of contenders come to Belgium after attending Tour de Pologne. Kelderman had a disappointing tour, but he should be one of the punchier men here. Stamina is a great benefit for him, although he might lack the acceleration to create a gap if needed.
Areruya has to stand out here after he absolutely destroyed the field in his last endeavor. One of the highest resistance scores in the field should mean that he manages to hold as much sprint left as possible. While there isn’t a ton of climbing ahead of the final 20km, Areruya will also manage the repetitive climbs as best as anyone.
Meurisse joins the heavy favorite list after a great last two weeks which might push him to the top again. Sometimes good form is better than anything else. Still, he’s got a unique combo of Mo-Hi-Sp-Acc which may allow him to benefit the most if it comes to a group of 25+ at the end. Teammate Turgis has the best sprint of anyone in the top 20 hill specific riders which potentially gives him that edge should it be a slightly smaller group.
Everyone in this section should be really disappointed finishing outside the top 15, but all will be hoping for the top spot.
| Name | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | SP | AC | FG | DH |  Izagirre | 69 | 72 | 79 | 75 | 70 | 69 | 58 | 61 | 67 | 68 | | Gebrezgabihier | 68 | 70 | 79 | 66 | 74 | 74 | 67 | 69 | 77 | 66 |  Stannard | 73 | 73 | 79 | 67 | 75 | 76 | 69 | 78 | 74 | 69 |  Kanerva | 69 | 64 | 79 | 70 | 75 | 69 | 64 | 76 | 75 | 69 |  De Plus | 72 | 77 | 79 | 64 | 74 | 73 | 61 | 72 | 68 | 66 | | Prevar | 71 | 70 | 79 | 61 | 75 | 68 | 66 | 71 | 62 | 65 | | Bystrom | 72 | 68 | 79 | 61 | 75 | 72 | 68 | 76 | 78 | 73 | | Chaves | 69 | 75 | 78 | 67 | 73 | 72 | 59 | 71 | 68 | 63 |  Bilbao | 70 | 66 | 78 | 64 | 76 | 70 | 70 | 74 | 66 | 65 |  Errazkin | 71 | 74 | 78 | 70 | 76 | 75 | 63 | 73 | 69 | 67 |  Van Garderen | 69 | 68 | 78 | 65 | 72 | 69 | 66 | 73 | 76 | 71 | | Yates | 71 | 65 | 78 | 69 | 77 | 74 | 62 | 69 | 73 | 69 |  Dyrnes | 68 | 72 | 78 | 61 | 73 | 73 | 65 | 77 | 78 | 74 | | Eriksson | 72 | 67 | 78 | 61 | 78 | 74 | 65 | 76 | 75 | 71 | | Budyak | 68 | 74 | 78 | 68 | 72 | 67 | 57 | 68 | 63 | 74 | | Bagioli | 71 | 71 | 77 | 69 | 76 | 72 | 71 | 76 | 75 | 67 | | Narvaez | 70 | 72 | 77 | 69 | 71 | 71 | 73 | 74 | 73 | 67 | | Hirschi | 71 | 75 | 77 | 66 | 77 | 77 | 66 | 73 | 80 | 76 | | Azman | 69 | 76 | 77 | 63 | 69 | 72 | 65 | 75 | 76 | 69 |
There’s really too many riders to list as possible outsiders so this is a prominent group of riders we expect to see competing well. There will certainly be other names fighting for points, but it all depends on the strategy of the race.
Of this group, Bilbao is probably the rider most likely to get a top 5 after his history of success here. Stannard and De Plus also represent a strong chances to join a select group.
Full Startlist:
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 05-01-2024 22:55
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3264
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Thanks for the preview. Can't say I am excited for this as I think another Boswell debacle looms, but he has both his sidekicks here and maybe they can pull something off, although that seems less likely at this level.
I am putting my money on another Areruya win with a late push.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 05-01-2024 23:15
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4670
Joined: 29-09-2018
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Strade was pretty solid by our puncheur duo, and I'm hoping at least for a repeat here. Given how similar Schmid is to Meurisse - just -1Sp/Acc each - I'm hoping to see him do similar things to the crazy Belgian, but he's yet to show some magic (except for Viana, where he even beat Meurisse). Errazkin hasn't been really good so far, so I don't expect much from him here, either. Any of the two getting a Top 15 would be nice - a Top 10 would be outstanding.
Joining UU in betting on Areruya, he's just too strong for that division.
Thanks for the preview!
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 06-01-2024 00:29
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Team Manager
Posts: 6508
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1090.00
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One of the three HC hilly classics that we couldn't avoid. Strade was a surprising success with Ndayisenga and Eyob both in the Top 25, both are here again but I can't reasonably expect a repeat. But who knows? Expectations are low enough that anything positive is welcome, which isn't a terrible place to be in, honestly. Would like to see one of our youngsters in the breakaway, too! Let's see how it all shakes out. Good luck everyone and thanks for the preview!
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 06-01-2024 00:38
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Hoping that we keep up our recent scoring efforts here, but I fear that we might struggle to produce anything, thanks for the preview Sean!
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 00:32
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 06-01-2024 02:33
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Not too optimistic of our chances here - If a bigger group makes it to the finish, Bilbao’s sp should hopefully elevate him a bit hopefully into an alright position. Otherwise, it’s the Areruya show I think.
Thanks for the preview 
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 06-01-2024 11:38
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World Champion
Posts: 11395
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Fabianski wrote:
Joining UU in betting on Areruya, he's just too strong for that division.
That division? Are you already mentally leaving us in the PCT behind? 
Obviously hoping Areruya can continue his truly scorching-hot start to the season and make it 5/5 in hilly stages. However, with this being an easier profile and this terrain in general not being one I think of as being consistent when it comes to the cream rising to the top, I'm expecting the comedown to be here and for him to be the "best of the rest" behind whichever random second or third tier guy launches from the front and wins or whatever as he was in these classics last year. He's won solo and sprinting already this year, I hope he follows what he did in Strade and just sends it from 10-20km out over one of those last couple of climbs before the final one.
My constant consternations over needing my dominant superstar to always get maximum points for team rankings reasons must come across very relatable and not at all pathetic, repetitive, or entitled, or repetitive, so you're welcome everyone for getting to read them
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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| MacC |
Posted on 06-01-2024 13:16
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Sprinter
Posts: 1594
Joined: 15-07-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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Another race day to be endured for Glanbia
Good luck all
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 06-01-2024 14:02
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11677
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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Expectations are low as Benoot races have been duds recently. Anything better than the Strade result is a bonus I guess.
Thanks for the preview sean
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| quadsas |
Posted on 07-01-2024 03:28
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
Joined: 18-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Should be an easy W for Moscon
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 07-01-2024 06:13
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World Champion
Posts: 11395
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Well I think that's how you beat Areruya - attack before he can, isolate him, make him chase down the moves, and let the sprinter make it to the finish with him! 3rd is no disaster but not great really. Shoutout to my (and the local fans' guy Tesfaye Huart for always picking up a minor placing whenever one of his leaders underperforms.
Happy to see Stannard doing as well as I knew he would and had told everyone he would
Thanks for a very fun and easy to follow report of a bit of a chaotic final 20km seancoll and congrats Mre on a huge result for you guys, Ackermann really making good there.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 07-01-2024 11:59
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Wow, what a result from Bilbao! That’s exactly what we brought him into the team for - he’s just paid off his transfer fee with this one result. I thought he could still be handy even after decline, but I wasn’t expecting him to animate the race that much towards the end. Absolutely stoked!
Congrats to Mre, Ackermann is always scary in these situations and showed the peloton why. Love to see Stannard do well again, and always great to see perennial overperformer Calmejane up there too for trans - he’s also had a great year.
Thanks for the report, was lovely to follow
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 07-01-2024 13:30
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4670
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Wow, what a race by the team! Sending Theuns here turned out to be a very lucky move, but he did exactly what I was hoping for on the rather easy route. Schmid put in a huge shift today to bring back the front group - great to see that he still had the energy to do so late in the race. Next year, he should be among the top contenders as well
Theuns getting that 7th place clearly is amazing, and he just showed that he isn't on the team exclusively for the cobbles. Great to know for some of our later races in the season! Schmid finishing 16th is a strong result as well (would've been the Top 15 we were hoping for, if Theuns wasn't there to do even better), and Errazkin also scored again with 21st place. That's 60 points from a cobbled classic - definitely more than I ever expected, and a great way to make up for the Lincoln failure (and almost as much as entire Pologne)!
Thanks for the report, and big congrats to Mre, Ackermann really is a fantastic rider for these "easier" hills!
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 07-01-2024 14:18
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Rough that we do all the work and don't really reap any rewards from this race, would probably have been better off just letting other people do the work let Meurisse and Turgis ride for themselves.
Congrats to mre on a much needed win!
Thanks for a great report!
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 07-01-2024 19:08
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3264
Joined: 02-11-2010
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Good stuff from Narvaez, probably a not quite strong enough for this race but did a nice job. But Boswell was completely anonymous, maybe he was covering Narvaez, potentially a mistake to send them both here. Don't think Boswell has even a top 10 in a hilly classic so far.
Thanks for a fun report.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 08-01-2024 05:58
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11677
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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9th is an improvement from Strade and from Wallonie last year, but still not near as good enough. Benoot starting off near the front and losing places all through the final climb gave me major Kelderman dejavu and PTSD. Sad that Benoot's career seems to be going in the same direction.
Congrats to Zwift and thanks for the report
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 12-01-2024 12:24
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
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Quite a dissapointing result by Dyrnes, Eriksson and the rest of my puncheur "elite"
Congrats to Zwift and Mre and thank you so much for the exciting report seancoll!! |
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