It's time for the second division annual team time - trial even. Only 13 teams at the start, but we should still see a pretty interesting battle for the top positions.
Hunter Valley have a brought an incredibly well balanced team here, led by Conci, Cosnefroy and Vandevelde. But, with Castrillo, Sam, Gilmore and Soler also in the team they have an incredibly strong power house. Monk, who is not exactly terrible against the clock, is the worst rider in their line - up.
Not quite the balanced core strength of their rivals, but DK Zalgiris do not have one weak element in their line - up. They will be lead by the Lithuanian dynamic duo of Kmieliauskas and Beniusis, with Marchewka and Nareklishvili as their main lieutenants.
Last year winners, Gjensidige have the best weakest rider in the team here! They might not have the same core strength as Hunter Valley or a leading duo as strong as Zalgiris, but we have to keep the team lead by Knotten and Van Moer on the table when we talk about the favorites for today.
PCM Rating
Hunter Valley Cycling
***
DK Zalgiris
***
Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
***
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
**
IESE ProCycling Team
**
Kraftwerk Man Machine
**
SEE Turtles
*
Glanbia
*
Podium Ambition
*
Euskadi-Murias
*
Hunter Valley have the best average time - trial stat here, but it looks like IESE or Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh could also get into the mix for the podium places
Team average
Hunter Valley Cycling
76
DK Zalgiris
75
Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
75
IESE ProCycling Team
75
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh
75
Glanbia
74
Euskadi-Murias
73
Kraftwerk Man Machine
73
Podium Ambition
73
SEE Turtles
73
Euskotren - Pays Basque
72
JEWA TIROL
68
Tafjord Kraft
67
IESE don't look quite as good when looking at top 4 average, but not by much. Hunter Valley also drop to the same level as DK Zalgiris and Gjensidige, but Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh do look like proper podium challengers here.
Will be a fun race. Really rooting for teams like Hunter Valley Cycling, Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team, IESE ProCycling Team, Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh, Glanbia, Euskadi-Murias, Kraftwerk Man Machine, Podium Ambition, SEE Turtles, Euskotren - Pays Basque, JEWA TIROL and Tafjord Kraft!
Would really like to win this one! We come in as favourites but it's going to be tough with the competition that's here. Fingers crossed my team can get it done.
