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Avila Classic Discussion Thread
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| roturn |
Posted on 12-05-2013 12:15
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Parallel to the cobbled stage race in Dunkerque, we also have some cobbles in this Spanish classic.
Most PCT teams obviously went for the French race while the CT teams saw a good opportunity to take big points in a C1 classic. Smart move.
It`s a circuit with 22 laps making a total of ~240km with a cobbled section on the final climb. so surely not the easiest race even though it`s still flat rated.
The biggest favourites are from the CT as said. We have a top class rider in  Maes. He surely is the big favourite here as he also has nice support in Coyot.
Another favourite coming from the CT is  Steegmans. He also has some support in Kopp and his advantage over Maes is his strong sprint. On the other hand he wasn`t able to take a win yet and is still looking for it. So maybe this race will be his breakthrough.
 Breschel is a similar rider. Amex with the luxux to have good squads here and in Dunkerque. In case the race is easier than expected they have their two top sprinters with Kupfernagel and more likely Farrar as solid cobbler as well.
 Bouygues also sends their stronger cobbler to Spain instead, which might be a good decision. Jacobs will lead them here looking for the win.
 Veelers is UPC`s leader here and some kind of secret favourite. Due to his sprint he can become very dangerous for the better cobblers.
Coming to the cobbled races, you always expect Bpost and HTC being named as top favourites. Well, not here at least as they focussed on Dunkerque. Still they must be named here as well.
 Vansummeren is a solid cobbler and good puncheur. So he could be a surprise just like  De Maar. Always good to see some riders getting a leader role, that are normally heloing their leaders.
The other teams will have outside chances with:
 Kozontchuk. The Russians are having a great season, so you can expect anything here. From a surprise win to a top10 it`s realistic.
 Vantomme. The Belgium sprinter is having a great season so far but this race doesn`t suit him that much to be honest.
 Bakari. Pure cobbler without much secondary stats. That said it will be hard for him to go over the hills with the better cobblers.
And what would be a race without home favourites?
Spain and cobbles doesn`t belong together that much. Still there are always a few decent cobblers from time to time. One, who is already behind his best times is  Flecha. The routinier mightwant to show his skills in his home country.
The other one actually is a pretty good bet.  Ventoso combines great puncheur and sprint skills, which should favour him here. Plus he comes over the cobbles quite well. So with the home crowd behind him, he might be hard to get rid of.
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| roturn |
Posted on 12-05-2013 12:17
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I seriously don`t know why I sent Vantomme here. I actually didn`t even know when claiming this race that I participate... 
Probably I had this race on my papers of flat races with a few cobbles and had 2 race days to fill for him plus it`s European Tour?!?
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 12-05-2013 12:23
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The one time Bakari will lead a race. And the others here for the Exp...
Will be good to watch the usual names fighting it out for the win, without the anxiety of wanting a good result as well
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| CountArach |
Posted on 12-05-2013 13:15
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Breschel is my tip. Vansummeren hoping for a top 10. I remember sending Maes to the equivalent of this race last year (I think it was Rogaland or something like that?) where he completely messed up.
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| dev4ever |
Posted on 12-05-2013 13:22
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A win here will taste extremly good. Hopefully the favourites will battle it out in the end.
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 12-05-2013 13:23
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Top 10 for Maar would be pretty nice.
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| tyriion |
Posted on 12-05-2013 14:24
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Hopefully the complete focus on this one instead of Dunkerque will pay off. The field is quite a bit weaker here than in the other cobbled classics, so it's time for a podium from Veelers 
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| Mhaley45 |
Posted on 12-05-2013 18:31
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Matti Breschel will not get many chances in 2013 to be a team leader, and this is one. He should have a decent chance for a top 5 anything better than that would be a surprise.
American Sprinter is making his 2013 debut here in Spain. This could be a very interesting race for him as he has some skills on the cobbles and should this come down to a mass sprint finish he legs might be fresher than the other sprinters.
Slipping off into a dream where Breschel leads out Tyler to a win and then holds on to his top5 <Hey wake up dreams never come true to a 1st year PCT team>
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Posted on 28-11-2024 01:29
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 12-05-2013 18:36
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Mhaley45 wrote:
Matti Breschel will not get many chances in 2013 to be a team leader, and this is one. He should have a decent chance for a top 5 anything better than that would be a surprise.
American Sprinter is making his 2013 debut here in Spain. This could be a very interesting race for him as he has some skills on the cobbles and should this come down to a mass sprint finish he legs might be fresher than the other sprinters.
Slipping off into a dream where Breschel leads out Tyler to a win and then holds on to his top5 <Hey wake up dreams never come true to a 1st year PCT team>
There's a chance mate. And dreams do happen from time to time, Sander Armee winning Tropicale Amissa Bongo from my personal experience being one
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 12-05-2013 19:39
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Avila is a great place to hold a classic. VDB in 1999, one of the greatest cycling moments to me!
Ventoso to take the win for me. Don't think the cobbled section will play much of a role as it isn't that long and comes right after a descent so the riders should be over it quick.
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| roturn |
Posted on 12-05-2013 21:22
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Actually the cobbles are on the 2nd uphill section. 
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| tyriion |
Posted on 12-05-2013 22:03
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roturn wrote:
Actually the cobbles are on the 2nd uphill section.
Right after a short descent from the first uphill part is what he means I think.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 12-05-2013 22:07
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Mhaley45 wrote:
Slipping off into a dream where Breschel leads out Tyler to a win and then holds on to his top5 <Hey wake up dreams never come true to a 1st year PCT team>
Prime example for the contrary 
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 13-05-2013 00:37
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I was expecting the cobblestones to be of lesser importance here, that's why I took Spilak's approach and brought Ventoso here.
Anyway the profile is quite appealing and the startlist is a short one so we should be in for a great show.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 13-05-2013 06:56
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My tip is also Ventoso, his all around abilities can be perfect for this one. Good luck to all!
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| roturn |
Posted on 13-05-2013 09:43
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Can`t say I am unhappy with the 14th by Vantomme. At least a few points from him.
A bit unlucky that he decided to go on the right side while Farrar on the left finished as 9th.
Both were next to each other at the very end of the group when the sprint started.
Congrats to Amex for this win. Also the CT teams scored well in a C1 race with Allianz and Banco Costa Rica. |
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| tyriion |
Posted on 13-05-2013 09:50
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Tough day here missing the initial break. But Traksel and Allianz saved us. In the end Veelers improved his best finish again by following the right move. Breschel and Eisel are pretty similar riders to Veelers and both have won a race, so with a bit of luck Veelers might get his chance in the Crit Hainleite.
Happy there were no crashes and the result is decent as well.
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| roturn |
Posted on 13-05-2013 09:53
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tyriion wrote:
Tough day here missing the initial break. But Traksel and Allianz saved us. In the end Veelers improved his best finish again by following the right move. Breschel and Eisel are pretty similar riders to Veelers and both have won a race, so with a bit of luck Veelers might get his chance in the Crit Hainleite.
Happy there were no crashes and the result is decent as well.
He seems like a solid rider for it. But I hope Vantomme will place himself better there than he did here. |
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| ggDonovan |
Posted on 13-05-2013 09:58
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Not as bad as we thought, good 16 points were scored.
Congrats to Mhaley45 for the win and thanks to Roturn for the report
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| CountArach |
Posted on 13-05-2013 10:20
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Well 2 in the top 10 was a great result and shows that I can e happy with the way splitting the team worked. Great win for Breschel, continuing Amex's amazing cobbled season.
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
