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Schwarzwald Classic Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 14-06-2013 22:06
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Directeur Sportif
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The Profile/
It's time for another Continental Tour's hilly classic and this time Freiburg says "Willkommen im Schwarzwald" (welcome to Black Forest)! Known as one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, Freiburg is definitely worth a visit for both the area and this race.
We've already seen tougher profiles this year, but this won't make the Schwarzwald Classic less interesting: starting from Freiburg, the route leads us quickly deep into the Black Forest, with the toughest ascent early in the race. Soon after, the peloton faces the final circuit, that has to be raced 6 times. While it ain't the hardest climb, the slopes up to 12% will make for a great race, hopefully.
And even better: the startlist has just been announced. A packed field with several of PCT's and CT's best puncheurs! Get ready for the action.
The Startlist/
The Local heroes and hopes - Riders or teams/
(Decided to split the favorites-section into two parts, also couldn't resist to add some nicknames, sometimes referring to German only  ..)
With only a few of the best puncheurs missing, we will have to watch for several great riders here. And thanks the first notable name, we start our preview with the local heroes and hopes:
 Aleksandar "Red Bull gives you" Flügel may be expected as the strongest here. He's already proven his strength in some hilly classics this year, including an impressive win in Lugano, not too far from where this race is held. Given he's extra motivated on home soil, he should be the man to beat here. Also his team's main sponsor would love to shine in Germany.
Another German squad is looking forward to this race:  Rothaus! The main sponsor is actually situated in the Black Forest, making this classic a special one for the team. And with both Jonathon "Mr Boland" Bellis and Simon "Mr Thüringen" Geschke there's at least two reasons to hope for decent result. Bellis already showed, that he can compete with the very best puncheurs in the division, and Geschke may hope for a less selective race.
Joining the list of (half-) German teams is  Sram. Their "X-Men" - Gerdeman(n), Wegman(n) - should be able to go for a Top-5, even though they won't belong to the very-top-favorites here.
While  Vueling can rely on Thomas Dekker, it's yet up to Patrik "Testosterone" Sinkewitz to prove his value for the team, which recent success may give him an extra boost in a legal way.
And the startlist also features CT-puncheur  Dietmar "More or less" Mehr-Wenige. His gamble of racing several PCT-races hasn't yet really paid off though. And it's MORE or LESS the same situation here: facing some very tough competition, while hoping for a thing called nationality bonus (he has already PMed Nolan Hoffman to ask him how to use this bonus.. no answer yet.. just a rumor).
The Favorites - International/
Of course it ain't just the local heroes, who hope for a win here. And the startlist is too packed to expect only those Germans to deliver:
 Francesco "Gianna Nannini" Ginanni is one of the Top-5-favorites. A win here would be well needed for his team.
 ING's Nicholas "Richie" Roche came short in some classics this year, still performing on high level each. Expect him to deliver for his team, which does so well this season.
 Jaguar will hope for Chris "sky high" Froome to repeat his Scandavian Road Race-win. He's without support from Dowsett this time, but should be at the front of the race anyway.
Then we've two similar strong riders, who go at the start with some very different circumstances: while  Hoogerland is looking to score some valuable points in relegation battle,  Kolobnev is aiming for adding some points for his team's fight for promotion.
Also in the mix for a Top-10:  Barredo,  Roy and also  Scarponi, if the daily form is on his side.
The remaining teams may only hope for a breakaway-appearance and a surprising outcome. But let's mention their leaders at least:  Mendes is at the top of this list, followed by  Ghisalberti,  Der,  Niemiec,  Appleby and  Di Luca. Some more names would be worth a mention, too. But let's get the racing on instead!
Note: The race will be posted once the Eneco Tour has been finished!
Edited by tsmoha on 14-06-2013 22:13
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 14-06-2013 22:21
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Classics Specialist
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Legendary preview!! 
EDIT: Finally my german class in elementary and high school paid off
Edited by Bjartne on 14-06-2013 22:22
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| Smowz |
Posted on 14-06-2013 22:51
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Team Leader
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I'll add some more nicknames - Hoogie Boogie and Klobbering time Kolobnev 
Plenty of German interest, but the favourite for me in 'Nannie' Ginanni. (What some English people call their Grandmothers!)
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| ember |
Posted on 14-06-2013 22:57
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That was a brilliant preview to read!
I'll agree with Smowz, Nannie Ginanni was a nice one, though, I liked More or less Mehr-Wenige too
The profile looks rather mountainous, and I'll go with Roche for the win, ahead of home heroes Testosterone Sinkewitz and Red Bull gives you Flügel. |
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 14-06-2013 23:04
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Very entertaining preview you've put there tsmoha.
But the startlist is too heavy for my liking. I was hoping this could be a chance for a top5 for Mendes, but a top10 will already be a great result given the competition.
For a favourite I'm going to pick Flugel.
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| fintas |
Posted on 14-06-2013 23:26
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Small Tour Specialist
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Great preview tsmoha..
Strong startlist, expect less competition, but still hope that eventually mehr-wenige can take advantage of the home bonus .. Realistically the top 10 should be the best that we can achieve
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| Heine |
Posted on 15-06-2013 06:15
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A german hilly race, I hope and expect a good result from Flügel here, on the other hand, the race seems perfect for Roche. For me he is the man to beat
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| roturn |
Posted on 15-06-2013 06:43
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Brilliant preview.
Will be an interesting race. As said it`s THE home race. Not only in Germany but also in the Rothaus area.
But normally Bellis prefers the hilly races with a flat finish, where his sprint favours him.
Here I expect, Flügel and Sinkewitz to be strong.
Ginanni and Roche will also join them for the top spots.
Top 5 would be cool. Top 10 is more likely. |
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| rycadinho |
Posted on 15-06-2013 15:18
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Heine wrote:
A german hilly race, I hope and expect a good result from Flügel here, on the other hand, the race seems perfect for Roche. For me he is the man to beat
I agree fully, this circuit is tailor made for Roche and anything else than a top result would be a disappointment - Especially after Azerbaijan and Eneco, two races that haven't been good for us!
Fantastic preview 
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 15-06-2013 15:28
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World Champion
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One of the best previews I've read in recent times. I'll take my chances and bet on Ginnani. |
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| viking90 |
Posted on 15-06-2013 16:13
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Hoogerland please do something great, we neeeeed points! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 10:36
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 15-06-2013 19:53
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Directeur Sportif
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Smowz wrote:
I'll add some more nicknames - Hoogie Boogie and Klobbering time Kolobnev
Nice ones Hoogie Boogie or Boogie Woogie Hoogie would have been great indeed. Maybe next time, when I'm in a mood to have some fun with a preview!
Thanks all for the kind words, btw. Glad you enjoyed the read!
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| rycadinho |
Posted on 16-06-2013 21:52
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Great stuff there by Roche, too bad he lost the wheel on Ginanni, but third is still a strong and a much needed result!
Thanks for the report Tsmoha
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 16-06-2013 22:04
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Nice win for Gianna Scarponi once again doing great in a C1 classic.
Nice report and ofcourse great preview tsmoha!
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 16-06-2013 22:12
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great report Tshoma hope for better with Roy but top 10 is always nice |
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| Heine |
Posted on 16-06-2013 22:52
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Well done by flugel, once again, he's no doubt the stable star of my team. Too bad kessler wont followmany attacks, with the nat bonus i had hoped for better from him
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| roturn |
Posted on 17-06-2013 07:47
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7th sounds fine for Bellis.
Might be the maximum in that strong field on an uphill finish.
Nice report, Tsmoha. |
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 17-06-2013 11:18
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This was a tough race. I was looking for Mendes to crack the top10 but I'll have to settle with 18th from him and a great 13th from Afonso.
Congrats to Vespa, excellent victory with that powerful sprint of Ginanni's to eat home favourite Flugel.
Only Monterrey TTT on our schedule now for this month.
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 17-06-2013 12:20
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Good old Kolobnev!
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| viking90 |
Posted on 17-06-2013 15:34
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Grand Tour Specialist
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ouch, I feel relegation sniffing a lot in my neck... |
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