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Giro di Lombardia Discussion
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| Selwink |
Posted on 06-03-2015 10:25
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It's already time for the final monument of the year, the Giro di Lombardia, also known as La Classica delle Foglie Morte, the classic of the falling leaves. Having been on the calendar since 2007 this race has two record winners. Both Frank Schleck and Damiano Cunego managed to win this race twice. Schleck won this one last year in a sprint.
The route contains the traditional climbs this year. First up is the Valico di Valcava, 11.2kms at 8%, followed by the Colle Brianza, 1.6km at 8.3%. Next up is the Sormano, 9km at 8.3%, but with peaks of over 18%. The final 3 climbs are the Madonna del Ghisallo, 10km at 5.2%, but peaks of 11%, the Villa Vergano, 4km, 5.5% and the San Fermo della Battaglia, 2km at 8.3%.
All in all this race seems to be perfect for climbers. However, with the finish being after a downhill and the final climbs being the shortest, it might just as well be a puncher who can survive climbs well.
Despite the difficulty the range of favourites is very broad. Obviously last year's winner,  F. Schleck deserves a mention. He has lots of experience with winning this race, and with Gastauer and younger brother Andy by his side he should be a serious contender for this year again.
Other record winner  Cunego should be a contender this year as well. Having won the Giro d'Italia already a third Giro di Lombardia would look good on his palmares and would honour his retiring manager one more time. With Claeys as main lieutenant his support can't be called too shabby.
This season's strongman  Trofimov is possibly the top favourite here though. He seems to be the perfect man for this race, being an excellent puncher, very good climber, good sprinter and having an excellent stamina. Rovny, Rybakov and Zakarin should provide valuable support.
World champion  Boasson Hagen has not had the best season of his career yet. The final monument of the season seems a good moment to shine though. Having come 2nd last year he'll surely try to improve that this year. With Levarlet he can rely on an excellent lieutenant.
 Bakelants is another strongman here. He came 3rd here last year and 2nd 2 years ago, and it doesn't seem unlikely he'll repeat such a performance this year. His support is quite weak, as Teklehaimanot should be his main lieutenant.
 Ricco could also shine here. His best result, 2nd in 2010 has not been repeated by him yet, but this year he might. The support by his side is very strong, and combined with an excellent stamina it might bring him victory.
 Ginanni could also well be the next winner here. His good ability to get over the hills, home support, and one of the strongest support teams could deliver him his desired result.
 Ponzi is another one of the Italians who might bring the Italians joy in the last monument of the season. Scarponi, Diggle, and Caruso should bring excellent support before he himself could finish it in a sprint.
 Gilbert has not had his finest results of his career here, but that might well change this year. It's hard to think of a better lieutenant than D. Martin, and the Belgian won't suffer on the flat either. His weakness of high mountains could be a risk though.
 Van Garderen is the final favourite who will get an individual description here. Despite Wikipedia being almost sure of the PT title he'll probably want to perform well here. McCarthy, Pinot and a good sprint should make him a good contender.
The list of outsiders could go on and on, so I'll mention them here:  Pozzato,  Sanchez Gil,  Van der Hugenhaben,  Sagan,  Valverde,  Nibali,  Machado, Klemme and so on. All in all the 22 WT teams and 1 PCT teams should bring us an excellent race here.
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| roturn |
Posted on 06-03-2015 10:28
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By the look of it, Luis Leon Sanchez Gil is the clear favourite here. Feel pretty sorry for Heine, but VW has to relegate I guess.
Spoiler Actually I just hope that LLS and Boom can take profit of the bit better mountain/hill ratio in comparison to Flügel/Klemme/Pozzato. So Roux could theoretically struggle as well.
99 points. All-In or Nothing.
Top 3 goal here. So if I am failing this I will end up 0/5 as also relegation would be obvious then. 
In the end I fear I might be the closest ever relegated team...
Edited by roturn on 06-03-2015 10:29
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| Heine |
Posted on 06-03-2015 10:28
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Final race of the season. Relegation battle to be decided, and looking at the startlist I feel bot me and Roturn will feel lucky with a top 10. What a field!
Considering how the season has been this will either be won by a Schleck or a by Trofimov... My money is on Trofimov
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 06-03-2015 10:36
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Surely Frank Schleck's last chance for a big win. Although I thought last year's victory would be he last, but this season has proved differently
It's the first time that brothers Schleck ride side by side on the same team in a PT race. Hopefully it's a combination that no other team can deal with!!
roturn wrote:
In the end I fear I might be the closest ever relegated team...
Well the gap was 42 points last year, so that's your target 
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| Heine |
Posted on 06-03-2015 10:41
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Pippo gets nationality bonus :-p That gotta count for something!
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| roturn |
Posted on 06-03-2015 10:42
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So are Villella, Sbaragli and Bongiorno...at least something I guess.  |
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| Kami |
Posted on 06-03-2015 10:56
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I don't really know who to root for, but well, Rothaus does have 2 of my riders, so go Rothaus!
No, but seriously, good luck to both, hopefully no crashes will end up being the deciding factor.
For the win, i think the mountain stat will play some significance, so Cunego, Schleck or Trofimov for me. Although i would personally like to see Ricco win it.
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 06-03-2015 11:14
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I fancy LLS's chances to gain points on VW, but no way Rothaus will close a 99pts gap Feel free to prove me wrong, AI 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 11:10
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 06-03-2015 11:26
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Time for Valverde to shine once again. Looking forward to watching the relegation battle without having to be nervous myself |
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| ember |
Posted on 06-03-2015 11:29
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It's a win goal and the final race for Boasson Hagen in his rainbow jersey. Sounds like a great opportunity to nail a race win this season, I'm hopeful!
Hoping we get some real drama thinking of the battle to avoid relegation. Surprising attacks, overperforming team mates, terrible positioning or whatever makes it thrilling! Cheering on both teams, may the best survive
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 06-03-2015 12:19
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Really interesting battle at the bottom here, looking forward to this one, a mid-range solo win from Dan Martin would make it perfect
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| SotD |
Posted on 06-03-2015 12:48
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I need Ricco to secure us the top 10 here. Otherwise it has been a complete disaster of a season.
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| Smowz |
Posted on 06-03-2015 13:06
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In some ways it would be nice for Cunego to finish of Rin's mangame career (and likely top performances of one of the mangame legends) with a nice monument win.
I guess for Frank Schleck it was similar than to Cunego last year and look at well he has done.
Trofimov of course is strong and you would expect Bakelants and Hagen to be near to the podium.
I have a hope for a break here mind you or as wacko says a mid stage attack. The chasing time (the time when the pack looks to reel in the early morning breakaway) comes with steep sections and there could well be a couple of AL cock ups.
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| Roman |
Posted on 06-03-2015 14:10
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Well, I don't expect we can beat Ponzi's Good Energy team, Sagan probably can't do that on his own. So the focus should be for us to at least stay 4th in standings, as Ginnani and Roche seems to be a really dangerous duo. It will be exciting to watch the relegation battle too. May the best survive!
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 06-03-2015 14:37
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Here it is! Nice preview. My money is on Trofimov, and hopefully Nibali will make the top-10.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 06-03-2015 17:39
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Come on Rothaus! And Festina seeing as Bagot is racing Would be a fantastic comeback if Rothaus can pull this off though. |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 06-03-2015 17:42
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I'd cheer for Rothaus like everyone, but I like VW just as much so I'll just be a neutral spectator here.
SportingNonsense wrote:
roturn wrote:
In the end I fear I might be the closest ever relegated team...
Well the gap was 42 points last year, so that's your target
And those 42 points gave us Herklotz, so it is proven once again that 42 IS the answer to life, the universe and everything!
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| Stevenag |
Posted on 06-03-2015 20:14
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Happy to be playing with the big guys. Not going to pretend I expect anything, but the route is hard enough for Pozzovivo to potentially do something. Not win or even close, but at least perhaps show his head. Not really likely though. Top 30 should be enough.
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| beagle |
Posted on 06-03-2015 22:30
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I´m looking forward to exciting finale of PT season. With field full of heavy guns it may be thrilling race, hopefully my Ginanni/Roche combo will play dignified role here!
AI, please don´t fuck with us anymore
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| dave92 |
Posted on 07-03-2015 00:07
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Great finale. This will be an epic fight to avoid relegation here. Neither manager deserves to go down, so it is hard to pick a side. I echo Kami in simply hoping no crashes interfere.
I am not quite as sure as some seem that the title is secure. Two Schlecks plus Gastauer is a formidable lineup.
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