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World championship discussion thread
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| Smowz |
Posted on 11-09-2012 22:20
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Much of the focus for this year’s world championships will revolve around the Muur van Geraardsbergen, a legendary cobbled climb controversially removed from the Tour of Flanders route recently. It seems however to have added to the ‘wall’s mystique and it will be one of the key battlegrounds into deciding this year’s rainbow jerseys.
We kick off with the time trial’s that will climb the Kapelmuur just the once.
Team Time Trial
In the team event the fact that we go over the cobbled climb is probably not the best news for twice champions Spain. The Spaniards have held a slight advantage over the Netherlands in recent years but could this be the year that turns the tide. Home team Belgium certainly will feel they are in with a shout along with the Germans and Russians. Italy, Colombia and Switzerland did well last time out and we shouldn’t rule out the Anglophone teams of USA, United Kingdom and Australia
U23 Time trial
The young guns have a shorter course of 41km and without Taylor Phinney in attendance, it should make the race for gold far more open. The Americans still have two outstanding shouts in Ryan Eastman and Tyler Brandt out of the California Giant Berry Farm squad. But the shorter parcours may make keeping the rhythm over the Muur climb even more important bringing perhaps Greek rider Panagiotis Vlatos into a favourites tag.
Italian stage racing hope Mattia Cattaneo should be in with a chance and Oz Cycling Projects Luke Durbridge will also be straining for the win. These youngsters are looking for a decent contract next year and this is a big advertising window.
Elite Time Trial
The Z man David Zabriskie will be looking to get his third world title after being sensationally upstaged by 2011 worlds star Taylor Phinney. Michael Rogers missed last years worlds and this is probably his last chance of winning the thing. Jerome Coppel lands individual time trials regurlarly in the Protour, though many peoples dark horse will be cobble-cum-TTer Fabian Cancellara. This is the time trial course he would have been dreaming of!
Under 23 Road Race
The road races should be fairly open with no-one really sure how things will pan out. In the youth section Dutch youngster Michael Vingerling will fancy if it is a sprint. Will it end that way however and even if it does timing a sprint in the wide long final straight will be crucial.
The absence of Belgian hero Tom Boonan from these worlds has forced attention onto Wikipedia’s young Belgian Kevin Eeckhout who certainly should figure if the cobbles make this one selective.
In truth though it is wide open with several evenly matched riders in attendance.
Elite Road Race
No Boonan, so who is the heir apparent. It’s hard to make a case for defending champion Tejay Van Garderan who won a tame race in Croatia last year. It’s clear the non-sprinters have to make this one hard else a tough-man sprinter could take this one. Belgium do have several cards to play but must be wary of the numerous sprinters, cobblers and sprinter-cum-cobblers in attendance.
I couldn’t name any names as pure favourites here – that perhaps is up to the race fans and team managers!
For startlist see the nominations thread!
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 11-09-2012 22:28
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Hopefully this will be the year when the Netherlands finally get their TTT World title.
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 11-09-2012 22:55
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alexkr00 wrote:
Hopefully this will be the year when the Netherlands finally get their TTT World title.
 Never, Spain have added Madrazo, Tenorio has become better, and while Valverde is a loss, I think Sanchez, Lloret and Madrazo are better than Valverde, Gutiérrez Palacios and Castano were.
Dekker is a big loss for the Netherlands as well.
Of course, if the cobbles messes the race up then the Netherlands have a chance, but I think Spain will hold on.
 [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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| CountArach |
Posted on 12-09-2012 00:41
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I'm tipping Netherlands for the TTT personally. Should be a cracking race.
As for the main event, I get the feeling that it will be Ballan or Burghardt.
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 12-09-2012 00:42
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mb2612 wrote:
alexkr00 wrote:
Hopefully this will be the year when the Netherlands finally get their TTT World title.
Never, Spain have added Madrazo, Tenorio has become better, and while Valverde is a loss, I think Sanchez, Lloret and Madrazo are better than Valverde, Gutiérrez Palacios and Castano were.
Dekker is a big loss for the Netherlands as well.
Of course, if the cobbles messes the race up then the Netherlands have a chance, but I think Spain will hold on.
I shouldn't have nominated Plaza for Spain. That would have give my Dutch time - trialists a better chance 
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| roturn |
Posted on 12-09-2012 01:15
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Looking forward to this one.
Without many Rothaus riders here I hope Boom can make the biggest impact. Should have decent chances and outside bet.
Hope everyone likes the course.  |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 12-09-2012 01:21
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I have no chance but I'm going to love watching all the action with these brilliantly made routes. So unpredictable which should make for exciting action throughout. Can't wait
Edited by Mresuperstar on 12-09-2012 01:22
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| Kami |
Posted on 12-09-2012 01:40
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I got some good riders in here. Burghardt and Steegmans for the RR. One question though, how is the race categorized in PCM? Cobbled or flat?
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 09:09
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| ember |
Posted on 12-09-2012 07:03
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I'm looking forward to all events here. I've no ambitions for the Aker riders participating, but it's the Worlds, which means it will be some great races to read about  |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 12-09-2012 10:57
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Lovely unpredictable course. Don't really care who wins as long as it's a crazy race.
Quick question SN - if one of your riders becomes World or National Champion, does that a)push his wage up and b)increase sponsor happiness and thus budget? |
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| Heine |
Posted on 12-09-2012 11:08
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wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
Lovely unpredictable course. Don't really care who wins as long as it's a crazy race.
Quick question SN - if one of your riders becomes World or National Champion, does that a)push his wage up and b)increase sponsor happiness and thus budget?
I think I can answer this:
a) Yes, atleast I seem to remember someone complaining that a african/asian rider won NC and demanded 60k (he was barely worth paying 50k) and wouldn't sign for 50k. It was his only good result that year, so I think we can conclude it does affect wage
b) Most likely not, but you will need to ask SN. I think that only goals + what you want to achieve next year matters. Perhaps last years position got something to say aswell
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 12-09-2012 17:44
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mb2612 wrote:
alexkr00 wrote:
Hopefully this will be the year when the Netherlands finally get their TTT World title.
Never, Spain have added Madrazo, Tenorio has become better, and while Valverde is a loss, I think Sanchez, Lloret and Madrazo are better than Valverde, Gutiérrez Palacios and Castano were.
Dekker is a big loss for the Netherlands as well.
Of course, if the cobbles messes the race up then the Netherlands have a chance, but I think Spain will hold on.
He wanted to be here, but his manager's vacation screwed both his and the rest of the team's WC hopes up |
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| roturn |
Posted on 12-09-2012 17:48
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Quite a loss for you. Also Devolder would have been a possible winner I think.
I absolutely don`t know what to expect as I never played this race with the National Man Game DB.
I just tested with normal teams. |
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 12-09-2012 17:52
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Yep. It's quite annoying. Just didn't see the thread quickly enough, unfortunately. |
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| SotD |
Posted on 12-09-2012 20:33
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Steurs will help Steegmans to win this.
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 12-09-2012 21:29
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wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
Lovely unpredictable course. Don't really care who wins as long as it's a crazy race.
Quick question SN - if one of your riders becomes World or National Champion, does that a)push his wage up and b)increase sponsor happiness and thus budget?
a) World Champion did last year, but Im thinking it might not this year. National Champion doesnt.
b) Nope
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| kumazan |
Posted on 12-09-2012 21:52
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Looking forward to these races, they should be pretty crazy I'm sure. I'll try to spot one of my riders going off the back, I don't think they have a chance for anything else.
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| rogvi97 |
Posted on 12-09-2012 21:56
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Is it possible for me to participate? |
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| roturn |
Posted on 12-09-2012 21:56
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No. It`s part of the ManGame, that has already started 1 year ago. |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 13-09-2012 00:18
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SportingNonsense wrote:
wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
Lovely unpredictable course. Don't really care who wins as long as it's a crazy race.
Quick question SN - if one of your riders becomes World or National Champion, does that a)push his wage up and b)increase sponsor happiness and thus budget?
a) World Champion did last year, but Im thinking it might not this year. National Champion doesnt.
b) Nope
OK, thanks for the response. |
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