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Gisborne GP Discussion
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| roturn |
Posted on 10-05-2014 16:59
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Welcome to New Zealand for the Gisborne GP. We are in the most Eastern region of NZ, so in an area without the biggest density of population and a high percentage of Maori.
Being in the NZ summer time at the moment we have a great weather. Sunny, warm, enjoyable amount of wind and no rain.
But back to cycling. Some of the top puncheurs of this division came to Gisborne in the hope to win todays classic. Due to a race clash with the Strade Bianche not all are here as some decided to stay in Europe.
In comparison the hills here are longer and so probably it`s a bit more difficult. Already on the first half we have 2 laps on a hilly circuit, but the tougher part is the 2nd half. First we reach the highest point and two small but steep bumps afterwards. A long descent to "relax" a bit and calm down your legs before we pass the final climb for the first time. If there is no selection yet, then the riders surely have to attack on the 2nd lap, which also will be the final one with the finish on the top. The climb is ~3km long and so enough time for a strong attack.
Without last years winner Ginanni, who stepped up to the Pro Tour the top favourite is  Chris Froome, who already has nice experience this season with Oceanian races as he won the Tour Down Under in January. Last season in the race debut he was already 3rd and only an improvement would be okay for him I think.
The opponents are pretty similar to the Tour Down Under and so the favourites are as well.
His former team mate  Dowsett has to be named as also last years 2nd  Efimkin. Both haven`t shown their real strength in the TdU and disappointed a bit. So here they will have to show more.
Behind that trio we have quite a few others, who want to win the Gisborne GP.
 Gautier seems to be a lot more motivated after a horrible 2013 season and counts to the best puncheurs here.
 Bellis has found a new team and just like in the last few seasons, he again mustn`t be underestimated in any PCT hill race as he always is doing well there. That said, he won`t defend his Strade Bianche win obviously as he starts in Gisborne this season.
 Craven does not have an as good palmares as the mentioned above but is a good bet for a good result here obviously. The Namibian improved a lot and became a solid puncheur.
 Skujins also improved a lot and is a nice loan addition for Team Swedbank. He is having a nice uphill punch and should score well for the team before he is starting to ride the bigger Pro Tour races next season.
 Monfort to lead the puncheur team Gazelle with some solid support of Weening and Minnard.
And finally we also have to consider  Bobridge obviously. The Aussie has collected a lot of experience in the PT last season and came back strong to lead Oz Cycling in future.
There are still a lot of more names. Also several CT teams with very solid puncheurs.
So here a few more with outside chances but surely we will see some of those in the top10 in the end.
 Bilbao
 Mendes
 Haas
 Wyss
 McEvoy/Rocchetti
 Barredo
 Passalacqua.
Special mention for Vink. Probably the Kiwi`s best chance for a top result.
 Eddie Stobart Pro Cycling,  Compal-Merida,  Sauber Petronas Racing,  Kenya Airways or  Siam Cement - Lenovo only with small outside chances.
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 10-05-2014 17:02
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Nice to see so many top puncheurs here, hopefully that means Ben Nasser should be able to de well in Bianchi and complete our goal.
this was just a filler, in the end decided to go all-in for our goal race and leave this one for a breakaway/experience race. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 10-05-2014 17:03
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The very strong startlist here makes me hope for a good result in Strade Bianche, but with the big depth of PCT puncheurs, I suppose there will be enough opposition over in Italy as well.
For this race, Froome Gautier Craven please so that the big points go to the teams way ahead of us. 
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 10-05-2014 17:04
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Gamble didn't pay off  Stupid move to bring Bobridge here, at least on paper. Please prove me wrong
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 10-05-2014 17:07
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With podium in Dwars another podium is the target. Hopefully Froome can improve from last year though. Will be a tough race but we got decent support for him.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 12:40
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| Bikex |
Posted on 10-05-2014 17:14
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One of my only 3 PCT races. There is not much I can hope for, any mention would be an honour. To see someone in the break of my guys would be great.  |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 10-05-2014 17:15
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Top 5 would be nice, plus with 6 guys on my team having 70+ HIL I hope for a decent points haul. |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 10-05-2014 17:22
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Let's see if Dowsett tries this time!
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| fintas |
Posted on 10-05-2014 18:04
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Top20 would not be bad from what I've seen from McEvoy
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 10-05-2014 18:28
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The race this season were Bellis stamina comes into play the best and seeing him as 1 on the startlist must be a good sign. |
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| welker3257 |
Posted on 10-05-2014 18:44
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Hopefully Albergio can surprise on our home soil, but I would be satisfied with a top 15.
Gig 'em Aggies
Fast N' Loud Cycling Project - ICL
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| sammyt93 |
Posted on 11-05-2014 00:40
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I've no idea what to expect from this so I'll play fairly safe and aim for points.
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| Margh Norway |
Posted on 11-05-2014 07:17
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Any additional Asia tour ranking point is welcome... though I don't know what to expect with such a strong startlist. Marcel Wyss is doing better anyway.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 11-05-2014 07:32
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Definitely not many people in the area and there aren't that many Maori but certainly a few.
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| roturn |
Posted on 11-05-2014 08:37
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Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Definitely not many people in the area and there aren't that many Maori but certainly a few.
Well. Actually everywhere but Auckland and the other bigger towns, there aren`t many people. Here it`s probably even less with almost no town and just small villages.
That said still almost 50% Maori which is ~3 times higher than the country average.
Back to MG topic. Both classics will be reported later today. |
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 11-05-2014 08:43
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roturn wrote:
Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Definitely not many people in the area and there aren't that many Maori but certainly a few.
Well. Actually everywhere but Auckland and the other bigger towns, there aren`t many people. Here it`s probably even less with almost no town and just small villages.
That said still almost 50% Maori which is ~3 times higher than the country average.
Back to MG topic. Both classics will be reported later today.
I do live in New Zealand Roturn
And Gisborne shou be a nice place for a race although I have never actually been there as it is a little dodgy. Make sure riders arent riden into by cars during the race. Either way, great to see quite a few races in NZ
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| viking90 |
Posted on 11-05-2014 10:04
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Will be fun to see what duo Skujins/Hoogerland can do here |
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 11-05-2014 10:50
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This is Craven's first race of the season and I have no idea what to expect. Any top 10 result will do, but top 5 is the target.
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| tastasol |
Posted on 11-05-2014 12:18
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Hope Haas can challenge for a top 10 here, but it will certainly be a hard race..
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 11-05-2014 15:52
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Eddie Stobart back on the road, it seems ages since we last raced |
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