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GP Ouest France - Plouay Discussion Thread
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| cio93 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 16:41
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The GP Ouest France - Plouay is always one of the most interesting races of the season.
Will the sprinter teams be able to keep everything together or are the puncheurs and rouleurs able to gap the rest of the field on one of the two climbs the peloton has to face 9 times each?
The Côte de Lézot will sap everone's legs with an average gradient of 5% over 3 kms before the Côte de Ty Marrec awaits everyone only 4800 metres from the finish line. Averaging 6%, but starting off with nearly 10%, this is certainly going to be the center of attention for both riders and spectators.
A fact that should not be forgotten is the lenght of the race as riders will be in their saddle for about 6 hours today. Stamina will play an important role.
A quick glance at last year's result:  Mickaël Delage outsprinted his breakaway companion  Rovny after being in a successful mid-race attack together with him and Bernucci. Small groups mostly consisting of puncheurs came in minutes later and spreaded all over the course.
Firstly, let's name the most prominent sprinters standing out from the rest.
 Peter Kennaugh is the best sprinter here in France with his complete Vueling team dedicated to him. A win here would increase their chance of promoting back to PT right away.
 Heinrich Haussler certainly wants to make an impact in what will be one of Sram's last races ever. They brought Smukulis as well, who possesses the ability to jump out of the bunch and win a sprint from a select group of riders.
Everyone hoping for a French win will probably point out  Romain Feillu first. He is known to excel in such races, and he doesn't face additional competition in his own team. Bpost goes all-in with him in an attempt to stay in promotion contention.
Mid-table team Evian brings a good bet in  Sonnery plus two riders suited for a mid-race attack in Rocchetti and Puusepp.
The last French sprinter worth mentioning is  Geoffroy Soupe for Alstom. He has to share leadership with Jeremy Roy though. Adding national bonus, Roy should be the rider suffering the least on the climbs.
This profile obviously cries for sprinters going well over hills, and PCT's two finest riders in this category are present here.
 Francesco Ventoso isn't a lot weaker than Kennaugh or Haussler in a flat race, and he should be even more dangerous after 2305 metres of climbing. Caldeira offers a nice leadout option for Prio if the race stays slow.
In retrospective lifting Rothaus from a good mid-table position into the lead with a strong early season,  Simon Geschke is definitely one of the more surprising riders this season. He might be weaker than Ventoso, but one mustn't underestimate his chances if he is in a good position.
Swedbank looks to relieve their relegation fears a bit, fielding double header  Kreder for the sprint and Hoogerland for a late attack.
Currently third ranked Tinkoff Bank opted for a similar approach with Trusov and Kolobnev.
Solely relying on a strongman to distance everyone else are Bouygues with an improved  Levarlet, Jaguar with  Dowsett and HTC with their cobbles specialist  Baugnies and rouler de Maar.
Making up the numbers are Metinvest with Crit Series lovers  Capecchi and Vitoria, Lukoil hoping for a lucky shot with  Sobal, and CT teams  Credexbank and  JK Cycling who have to be satisfied with some TV time in a breakaway.
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| The Hobbit |
Posted on 13-11-2013 16:42
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Peter Kennaugh is a sprinter? I still don't understand the Man-Game  |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 16:47
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The Hobbit wrote:
Peter Kennaugh is a sprinter? I still don't understand the Man-Game
That is one of the least surprising things. But take a look yourself 
https://pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread....ile=649988
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| roturn |
Posted on 13-11-2013 17:38
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I hope the hills will hurt all those sprinters. Then a podium is possible for Geschke.
If not a top10 would be nice, too.
Worst case would be if the sprinter teams can`t catch the breakaway as they don`t want to drop their leaders. In that case I hope I will be in the break.
Normally my team should be able to send an attacking guy like Passeron into the break or otherwise help with the chase as I have some decent puncheurs.
That said. I have no idea how the game handles it, so I am very excited. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 13-11-2013 22:11
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 13-11-2013 22:20
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Good profile for Ventoso, but there is a great variety of choices for the win. I'm pretty interested in this one. With so many different and versatile talents here, I'm thinking there's little chance the game goes berserk.
Selective group sprint would be my pick though.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 14-11-2013 05:52
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I almost forgot we are in this race. But with Vitoria and Capecchi (indeed the crit lovers), it is maybe possible to snatch a top10, if some of the pure sprinters will fall off, both our riders have nice stamina. Joining the break of the day with one of our riders would be also good, anything can happen here.
My bet for the win is one of the trio of Haussler, Ventoso or Geschke.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 14-11-2013 07:28
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Sonnery with nationality bonus should be dangerous here. Plus my two crazy attackers should keep the race interesting. I can't wait. |
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Posted on 24-11-2024 11:15
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 14-11-2013 09:59
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Hopefully Roy is up there if it turns out really tough and Soupe if it's easier then first thought well that's the plan anyway:? |
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 14-11-2013 10:12
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This is a race where Baugnies, even if it is not his terrain, usually performs well. He can do nothing of course, but could well score a nice Top 10 or better as well. So can De Maar. Loads of riders can win this one though. For me, I think Top 10 here is more than enough.
Edited by Alakagom on 14-11-2013 10:13
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| CountArach |
Posted on 14-11-2013 19:47
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Bit surprised to see I didn't bring Vanspeybrouck here as he is often surprisingly good at these races. At the end of the day though this race was pretty much what I brought Feillu into the team for so I'm hoping for him to be fighting for a podium.
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| roturn |
Posted on 14-11-2013 21:16
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You spoilered me. 
So close. Unfortunately Geschke didn`t wait 100m longer to start his sprint.
Then again a podium here is awesome and shows Geschke`s value once more.
Lots of crashes here unfortunately. Loved the pic of Dowsett though.
Thanks for the report, Cio. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 14-11-2013 21:30
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That was a very unintentional spoiler then
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 14-11-2013 21:40
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Congrat's to CT and Vueling's late surge into the table. |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 14-11-2013 22:14
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All three leaders falling at once? Only at Evian. |
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 14-11-2013 22:46
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Wow what a sprint. Great job by Kennaugh with that late surge to catch Kreder and Geschke. Shame that the crash took so many people away from the discussion. Also Ventoso seems to be back to his worst form.
Great job with the report cio, it was really enjoyable, especially the Dowsett part 
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 15-11-2013 06:15
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Very funny report Cio.
Oops Pakthusov, sorry for the pile up everyone, that was only way to improve chances for Vitoria
6th place is great for our swiss strong man, cant be unhappy with that.
Congrats to Vueling, their late surge is fantastic.
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| viking90 |
Posted on 15-11-2013 13:39
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wiihoo, nice results for us here 
to bad with all the crashes, but it was our luck this time I guess...
Great work with the report!
Edited by viking90 on 15-11-2013 13:40
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 15-11-2013 15:40
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Freaking awesome. Great job by Kennaugh who keeps Vuelings' promotion dreams alive. |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 15-11-2013 21:48
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So pissed off right now. Picking the wrong wheel and suffering for it when everything was clearly set up for a podium place is just heartbreaking.
I can't remember what my last win was.
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