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GP Kathmandu discussion thread
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| Smowz |
Posted on 26-01-2013 11:00
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It's bound to be an excitable crowd in Nepal as it welcomes the professional peloton for the first time in the hilly classic GP Kathmandu. It's a really long one at 254 Kilometres with 11 lumpy circuits. We are not venturing too far into the mountains but it is quite the backdrop.
12 teams are here including four PCT teams in a varied line up. At the top end we have two of the big favourites out of the CT teams in Gazelle and Iberia.They are here with their big hilly leaders Weening and Samu. The other big favourite is likely to be German Mehr - Wenige, his Adira outfit will be looking out for this type of race as their main source of points so will be desperate to do well here.
Mehr-Wenige went close in the opening hilly classic edged out be J-Rod who is absent here. It'll be interesting to see how Iberia's tactics change here, accused of being slightly negative relying on Rodriguez's famous late kick.
Another rider worth keeping an eye on in this race is Spanish rider Sergio Barrio who cost CSC a whopping one million Euros in the transfer season. Pre season discussion seems to suggest that this lengthy course may not be to his taste. His team may be cautiously optimistic.
These could be good races for the likes of Armavia and Evian, predicted to have fairly mediocre seasons in the PCT team standings. They have a couple of decent hilly riders in their teams who could strike here. Rochetti and Puusepp for Evian along with Chinese rider Wang of Armavia.
Swiss squad Sauber have a mixed squad with climber Alizadeh and punchaer Schurter leading their squad. They may need to animate things a bit earlier than the finale. Also likely to be animaters are Team WWE sending a fairly modest collection of journeymen.
Mobil Castrol are specialists in mountains but are probably a bit disappointed that this race will only go in the foothills. Vrecer will and the climbers will look to exploit the tougher sections. Meanwhile it may not be the right type of hilly race for Magna Ryanair's Greek star Ilias, possibly facing a leadership battle with Eibegger.
FC Barcelona have a decent outside chance also with Grau and Calzati from their league of veterns present here. Speaking of veterans Di Luca leads the tiny JK Cycling team, who'll be hoping to give a good account in this Asian race.
The report will be with you tomorrow evening.
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 26-01-2013 11:03
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I don't Iberia to win. But I want Mora to surprise in the downhill sprint. |
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| jaxika |
Posted on 26-01-2013 11:08
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I will not participate, but follow this race with much interest |
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| tyriion |
Posted on 26-01-2013 11:13
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Will be interesting to see how the PCT teams will do here. I don't think they can get a win against Weening and the likes, but as it's a small field they should be able to score some points. I didn't take any C2 races, but only time will tell what the right tactic is.
Check out my ManGame team here
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 26-01-2013 11:38
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No Rodriguez here. Sanchez only finished 19th in Cuba. Let's see if he does better as the team leader. Gazelle with Weening, Westra and Furdi should take the win here.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 26-01-2013 12:19
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Three cards for us here. Puusepp and Rocchetti for the hills, Sonnery for an unlikely sprint. Should be a good race. |
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| fintas |
Posted on 26-01-2013 12:35
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Weening is clearly the favorite for this race, Mehr-Wenige again has the opportunity to get a good result. Even a victory would not be something totally surprising. Still think it will be very fierce, and as the Spaniards say this is a rompe piernas. the objective is a top 5 and below that will be disappointing.
Edited by fintas on 26-01-2013 12:36
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 15:10
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| ggDonovan |
Posted on 26-01-2013 12:40
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Weening for the #1
We think that with Grau a top 10 is possible.
GL!
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 26-01-2013 13:18
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The length of the race is going to be a problem, but if Barrio can just come out with some points and not a zero, coming here will be worth it. Had way to many 0 point races last year, got change that around this season. 
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| Firefly21 |
Posted on 26-01-2013 14:30
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This race is just way too long for Ilias to make an impact. In retrospect I'm not even sure why I picked this race, fortunately not the best startlist here. I think between Eibegger, Ilias and Hrinkow we might get a top 15 or so and hopefully 2 or 3 in the top 25.
Weening to make up for his result in Cuba and win this one. Could see Sami Sanchez or DMW disrupt it though.
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| Christer |
Posted on 26-01-2013 16:57
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We are here in hopes to snatch up some points. Hopefully we will manage just that.
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| DubbelDekker |
Posted on 27-01-2013 14:48
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Surprising to see no Rodriguez. What is the reason for this, Spilak?
Seeing the start list, my expectations are to at least get one rider in top 3, another in top 10 and another in top 15.
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 27-01-2013 14:52
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DubbelDekker wrote:
Surprising to see no Rodriguez. What is the reason for this, Spilak?
Seeing the start list, my expectations are to at least get one rider in top 3, another in top 10 and another in top 15.
He said that Rodriguez and Moreno will only race most of the late season. |
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 27-01-2013 14:57
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DubbelDekker wrote:
Surprising to see no Rodriguez. What is the reason for this, Spilak?
Seeing the start list, my expectations are to at least get one rider in top 3, another in top 10 and another in top 15.
Didn't think the Mos stat would count for much. Sanchez should be able to get the same results as Rodriguez anyway.
Also, Rodriguez is mainly used in stage races with both hills and mountains so couldn't fit the race days.
You will meet him enough anyway 
Edited by Spilak23 on 27-01-2013 14:57
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 27-01-2013 14:58
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Spilak23 wrote:
DubbelDekker wrote:
Surprising to see no Rodriguez. What is the reason for this, Spilak?
Seeing the start list, my expectations are to at least get one rider in top 3, another in top 10 and another in top 15.
Didn't think the Mos stat would count for much. Sanchez should be able to get the same results as Rodriguez anyway.
Also, Rodriguez is mainly used in stage races with both hills and mountains so couldn't fit the race days.
You will meet him enough anyway
I won't.
Spoiler A shread of hope comes into my heart. |
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| Smowz |
Posted on 27-01-2013 15:06
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Sorry about the green circles everyone. Reported it as I raced it, and it was a thriller so I didn't really want to re-race it.
Gazelle were very awesome here btw, pretty much with all their racers near the front for the whole race.
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 27-01-2013 15:07
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Congrats Fintas for the win. Vrecer 6th? Mother of god. |
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| DubbelDekker |
Posted on 27-01-2013 15:09
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Ok, interesting. MO stat will probably not count here, but still I think that even here Rodriguez would do better than Sanchez. On the other hand Rodriguez might indeed be of more use in more mountainous races.
Definitely not complaining about his absence.
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 27-01-2013 15:10
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That was one stunning sprint. Thought it was over for Sanchez and that he had to watch out for Furdi when he somehow found the energy to almost sprint past Mehr-Wenige. Congrats to Fintas! 11th and 13th from Blazquez and Valencia is not bad either. Toribio quite low though.
DubbelDekker wrote:
Ok, interesting. MO stat will probably not count here, but still I think that even here Rodriguez would do better than Sanchez. On the other hand Rodriguez might indeed be of more use in more mountainous races.
Definitely not complaining about his absence.
See, no matter it's Sanchez or Rodriguez. I will beat you!
Edited by Spilak23 on 27-01-2013 15:11
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| jph27 |
Posted on 27-01-2013 15:23
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I shall bang my head against a wall a little more. Great report, congrats Adira. What happened to my attacking Puncheurs?  |
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