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FBD Eire Tour Discussion Thread
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| cio93 |
Posted on 10-07-2012 23:14
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World Champion
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157 riders make their way to Ireland for these 8 stages in the land of sheep, butter and Guinness.
The race composes of 4 flat and 4 supposedly hilly stages, but even a short glance at the stage profiles show us that we shouldn't expect any significant time gaps apart from the stage 5 finish atop a 2,2 kilometer rise averaging more than 6 percent.
Stages 6, 7 and especially 8 provide further chances to gain time, while all teams with an overall contender have to be careful that no breakaway makes it to the end, as a gap of, let's say two minutes, to a mediocre puncheur is nearly impossible to level on stage 5.
So, this is a race open for anyone. A strong sprinter, an excellent puncheur and anyone lucky enough to be in a winning breakaway has the chance for overall glory and important points for their team coming towards the end of the season.
With possibly seven stages up for grabs, nearly all top sprinters found their way up north.
Still, one man cleary stands out.
 Tom Boonen
is the absolute favourite. He won't have problems with the hills, and if the time gaps are reasonable coming onto stage 6, he even could win the overall. Remember, time bonuses may allow the best sprinter to collect up to 2 minutes of time loss on stage 5! He is supported by experienced lead-out man Nolan Hoffman, who accounted for many GT stage wins already.
A quite similar rider is
 Sam Bewley.
The Kiwi is just slightly slower than Boonen, and with some luck, he can achieve a lot in this race. It'll be interesting to see whether team mate Juan Pablo Forero will fully support his leader, which would certainly increase Bewleys chances a lot.
At the start for Pro Tour leaders Vesuvio is
 Ben Swift,
who is by no means a worse sprinter than the previously mentioned, and he'll definately be set to challenge for wins over this 8 days of racing. His dedicated helper at Vesuvio is Macej Paterski, who surprisingly proved his value for Swift in many TdF sprints this year.
It would be a huge task to mention every possible sprint favourite, so here are some riders standing out of the rest:
Belgian strongman
 Gert Steegmans
doesn't have the top speed in a direct duel, but the harder the stage gets, the better are his chances for a surprise.
 Francisco Ventoso
is surely the best puncheur amongst the possible sprint contestants, and with a good effort and slim time gaps on stage 5, any time bonus he picks up in a sprint could prove valuable towards his GC position.
Ventoso is Santander's single option for a regular stage finish result, and it's some pressure upon his shoulders if his team should stay at the top of the PT standings.
It's just 2,2 kilometres. Maybe that's all the distance the best puncheurs have to significantly drop the sprinters, and the line-up definately implies the team managers trust in their riders to exactly achieve that.
The very best in this discpline are at the start line, and they all know there are many hours of racing awaiting, but possibly only 5 minutes to make a difference.
The most favourited out of them is Belgian
 Jan Bakelandts,
but the best positioned rider in the overall standings participating here will be challenged by a whole bunch of similar riders.
 Stefan Schumacher
doesn't possess the same sprint as his competitors, but presumably, that won't make a difference on the decisive stage. Still, remember that there is a possibility that a select group of puncheurs makes it to the finish line on stage 8!
World champion
 Tejay van Garderen
lines up here as well in what should be one of his last races in the rainbow jersey.
Norwegian wonderkid
 Edvald Boasson Hagen
represents B&O in Ireland, hoping to make an impact on this race and helping his outfit to stay in one of the safe positions.
Italian
 Simone Ponzi
is another one of the puncheurs-with-a-strong-sprint. Even though he has arguably the best team around him with Caruso, Diggle, Pavarin amongst others, the team manager has to be aware there is no need for lots of additional hilly specialists in this race!
Another Italian, this time with Olympic experience, is
 Diego Ulissi,
now fighting his fellow countryman instead of supporting later winner Pozzato. He might be at least one step behind Schumacher and Bakelandts, but with these small differences in skills, positioning will be crucial and could give us some surprises.
Remember that the latter four riders mentioned above are all eligible for the young rider classification as well.
A definate thread for the slightly punchy, but flat ending stages is
 Philippe Gilbert,
with his deadly combination of power in the flat and on any hill. He surely wants to try to make a difference in the later stages, but don't underestimate him in the early days either!
The only Eastern European with a shot at the overall is
Aleksandr Efimkin,
who should be joint leader with Bewley for Milka here. Time will tell who's better positioned at the end.
The last more or less obvious favourite to mention is aging
 Patrik Sinkewitz,
and he really has to deliver here to keep Spyker in the competition for a PT spot.
Honorable mention has to go to Wildcard team
 The Oz Cycling Project,
fielding their possibly best team available, with Cooke and Renshaw having a shot at some sprint results, while youngsters Bobridge and Ford are known for their great breakaway efforts.
Spoiler UBS
1. S. Schumacher
2. M. Albasini
3. S. Barrio
4. R. Bertogliati
5. A. Kristoff
6. M. Richeze
7. F. Stalder
8. J. Tschopp
Pearl
11. J. Bakelants
12. W. De Vocht
13. J. Guarnieri
14. T. Leezer
15. M. Richeze
16. R. Vanderbiest
17. J. Vastaranta
18. W. Walker
Pendleton's
21. P. Gilbert
22. B. Bozic
23. S. Cummings
24. P. Deignan
25. R. Downing
26. S. Duret
27. R. Margaliot
28. A. Moletta
B&O
31. E. Hagen
32. C. Jørgensen
33. D. Klemme
34. T. Riber-Sellebjerg
35. J. Sagan
36. K. Sobota
37. K. Vanoverschelde
38. T. Vinter
Spyker
41. P. Sinkewitz
42. N. Edet
43. A. Geniez
44. V. Gusev
45. B. Kadri
46. M. Pedersen
47. M. Reimer
48. A. Vichot
Wiggle
51. S. Ponzi
52. D. Caruso
53. T. Diggle
54. A. Fenn
55. R. Hampton
56. P. Locatelli
57. M. Pavarin
58. L. Rowe
Milka
61. A. Efimkin
62. S. Bewley
63. A. Delaplace
64. J. Forero
65. A. Honkisz
66. Y. Hutarovich
67. E. Verbist
68. M. Vysna
Wikipedia
71. T. Van Garderen
72. D. Atapuma
73. B. Bookwalter
74. R. Cleaver
75. C. Kelly
76. G. Lejman
77. D. Rollin
78. J. Van Heerden
Festina
81. D. Ulissi
82. L. Bøchman
83. D. Drapac
84. J. Ljungblad
85. V. Reynès
86. R. RodrÃguez Segarra
87. G. Steurs
88. P. Voss
Nestlé
91. J. Rodriguez Oliver
92. T. Boonen
93. H. Broco
94. P. Fédrigo
95. N. Hoffman
96. D. Loosli
97. M. Machado
98. D. Vitoria
Santander
101. F. Ventoso
102. D. Allonca
103. J. Del Nero
104. F. Echarri
105. I. Erviti
106. A. Galdos
107. J. Moreno
108. R. Serrano
Sony
111. S. Anza
112. A. Ballan
113. L. Fernández Oliveira
114. K. Fouquet
115. R. Granjel Cabrera
116. M. Mortensen
117. D. Muravjev
118. M. Reihs
Vesuvio
121. D. Mehr-Wenige
122. C. Betancourt
123. S. Einsle
124. B. Gastauer
125. M. Paterski
126. D. Stundzia
127. B. Swift
128. J. Wallays
Webeffect
131. S. Ghisalberti
132. J. Baugnies
133. T. Bontenackels
134. T. Danielson
135. A. Gilanipoor
136. B. Khalilikhosroshani
137. V. Rodrigues
138. M. Trosino
Carmeuse
141. G. Levarlet
142. S. Caethoven
143. B. Curfs
144. R. Di Gregorio
145. J. El Fares
146. C. Lhotellerie
147. J. Libert
148. W. Weylandt
Bacardi
151. G. Steegmans
152. M. Burghardt
153. M. Heijboer
154. J. Kocjan
155. S. Kondrotas
156. A. Kruopis
157. M. Perget
158. E. Sokolov
Jack Wolfskin
161. S. Chavanel
162. X. Florencio
163. W. Jallays
164. M. Kreder
165. P. Martens
166. W. Poels
167. M. Sieberg
168. L. Ten Dam
Colombia
171. J. Baños Ballester
172. A. Ardila Cano
173. S. Bennett
174. A. Brea
175. S. Joly
176. H. Machado
177. M. Rubiano Chavez
178. J. Tendero
Oz
181. J. Bobridge
182. G. Bennett
183. J. Clarke
184. S. Clarke
185. B. Cooke
186. W. Ford
187. M. Renshaw
188. M. Vink
Edited by cio93 on 10-07-2012 23:16
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 10-07-2012 23:16
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
Joined: 05-08-2008
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The hills don't seem to hard so we could see some surprises.
Chavanel was able to get a top 10 in Paris-Nice so I can dream he could do the same here.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 10-07-2012 23:18
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World Champion
Posts: 10616
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
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alexkr00 wrote:
The hills don't seem to hard so we could see some surprises.
Chavanel was able to get a top 10 in Paris-Nice so I can dream he could do the same here.
Agree, so sorry to anyone not having his team or one of his favourites mentioned, I feel like it would have been too much to mention everyone.
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 10-07-2012 23:19
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11786
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I'm a bit afraid of Cooke not surviving those small bumps in the flat stages, but I'm hoping for some surprises anyway.
As for the hilly stages, I think Bobridge may be able for a good breakaway-effort.
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Posted on 07-12-2025 14:09
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 10-07-2012 23:20
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
Joined: 05-08-2008
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cio93 wrote:
alexkr00 wrote:
The hills don't seem to hard so we could see some surprises.
Chavanel was able to get a top 10 in Paris-Nice so I can dream he could do the same here.
Agree, so sorry to anyone not having his team or one of his favourites mentioned, I feel like it would have been too much to mention everyone.
Don't worry, I didn't say you should have included Chavanel in the favorites list. Judging by the startlist he starts with one of the last chances for a good result, so a top 10 would be a performance.
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 10-07-2012 23:36
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Sprinter
Posts: 1982
Joined: 07-02-2009
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Counting on Schumacher to do big things here, and I think he is very capable of winning. I think its going to be very unpredictable though, with mid-tier guys being up there with the leaders.
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 10-07-2012 23:42
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Team Leader
Posts: 5535
Joined: 18-05-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Ventoso has never done as hoped in the hills, so I expect him to fail in the sprints and come 20th overall having missed the split.
 [url=www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=33182] Team Santander Media Thread[/url]
Please assume I am joking unless otherwise stated |
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| Kami |
Posted on 10-07-2012 23:45
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3386
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Hoping for a solid amount of points. Didn't expect Boonen AND Bewley to be here, who are basically two better versions of Steegmans.
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| p3druh |
Posted on 15-07-2012 20:41
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2388
Joined: 28-09-2007
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Finally Bakelants has a chance to win a Stage Race with Schleck not being here. That being said, I have a feeling he won't 
Looking forward to see what Vanderbiest manages to do.
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 15-07-2012 21:12
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
Joined: 05-08-2008
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p3druh wrote:
Finally Bakelants has a chance to win a Stage Race with Schleck not being here. That being said, I have a feeling he won't
Gesink beat him too. Schleck isn't the only concern when it comes to stage - races for Bakelants
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| niconico |
Posted on 15-07-2012 21:16
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3926
Joined: 09-07-2007
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I feel I'm pretty much in a safe position already  . That being said I had no idea the competition would be this fierce this season.
A stage win for Hagen would make me a content manager for this one - he couldn't go an entire season without a win, could he?
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| p3druh |
Posted on 16-07-2012 11:40
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2388
Joined: 28-09-2007
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alexkr00 wrote:
p3druh wrote:
Finally Bakelants has a chance to win a Stage Race with Schleck not being here. That being said, I have a feeling he won't
Gesink beat him too. Schleck isn't the only concern when it comes to stage - races for Bakelants
Absolutely. It's just that Bakelants seems to have a billion 2nd places behind Schleck this season
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 16-07-2012 16:03
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4726
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Note to self, must sign a puncheur. |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 16-07-2012 16:05
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
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fenian_1234 wrote:
Note to self, must sign a puncheur.
I think you have a pretty good one... uhm, what's his name... o yeah, Cunego
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 16-07-2012 18:05
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4726
Joined: 06-12-2006
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I think Cunego's hill stat is probably the most meaningless one in the game - he's racing LBL and Lombardia this season.
I need a Ponzi or Ulissi type rider in a big way. |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 16-07-2012 18:45
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World Champion
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You can't consider Cunego a real puncheur hence the smile.
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| SotD |
Posted on 16-07-2012 20:46
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
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fenian_1234 wrote:
I think Cunego's hill stat is probably the most meaningless one in the game - he's racing LBL and Lombardia this season.
I need a Ponzi or Ulissi type rider in a big way.
Ulissi <-> Cunego?
Hey you can even have Wen Hao Li on top of that. You can't say no to that offer I reckon!
Edited by SotD on 16-07-2012 20:46
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 16-07-2012 21:36
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Cock. Luke Rowe is here. Good bye Ponzi's chances.
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk]  [/url] |
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 17-07-2012 20:08
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4726
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SotD wrote:
fenian_1234 wrote:
I think Cunego's hill stat is probably the most meaningless one in the game - he's racing LBL and Lombardia this season.
I need a Ponzi or Ulissi type rider in a big way.
Ulissi <-> Cunego?
Hey you can even have Wen Hao Li on top of that. You can't say no to that offer I reckon!
Wen Hao Li? That deal might be too good to say no to.  |
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| SotD |
Posted on 17-07-2012 20:51
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
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fenian_1234 wrote:
SotD wrote:
fenian_1234 wrote:
I think Cunego's hill stat is probably the most meaningless one in the game - he's racing LBL and Lombardia this season.
I need a Ponzi or Ulissi type rider in a big way.
Ulissi <-> Cunego?
Hey you can even have Wen Hao Li on top of that. You can't say no to that offer I reckon!
Wen Hao Li? That deal might be too good to say no to.
My point exactly 
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