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Zuri Metzgete Discussion
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| matt17br |
Posted on 19-11-2015 10:12
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 Zuri Metzgete
The 6th, 4th consecutive edition of the Zuri Metzgete is the final race of the Continental calendar. The 233 kms long, hilly rated route is particularly suited to punchy sprinters because of a flat finale, although since its first edition in 2007 it’s been the top puncheurs who had the honor of winning the last race of the season. Swiss hero Marcel Wyss has been the latest winner, however he won’t unfortunately be present today, since his team stepped up to PCT this season. Interestingly enough, none of the riders who finished in the top 9 positions last year are taking part today, and likewise, none of the past winners is participating either.
As in every CT race, there’s no clear favourite. It would be useless to name a stand out favourite anyway, but there’s definitely some names who should definitely feature in the top 10. Below there’s a look over the startlist, and after then, a look on some of those names as well!
| Puncheur | HI | SP | AC | RE | ST | | Puncheur | HI | SP | AC | RE | ST |  Mendes | 78 | 68 | 65 | 68 | 72 | |  Der | 75 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 73 | | Zeits | 77 | 64 | 71 | 68 | 73 | |  Rocchetti | 75 | 65 | 64 | 65 | 70 |  Lejman | 77 | 59 | 68 | 64 | 72 | |  Ilias | 75 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 68 |  Rabon | 76 | 72 | 77 | 73 | 73 | |  Chérel | 75 | 61 | 72 | 68 | 76 |  Simon | 76 | 72 | 74 | 74 | 75 | | Durasek | 75 | 60 | 59 | 72 | 74 |  Acevedo | 76 | 63 | 69 | 71 | 72 | | Godoy | 75 | 58 | 63 | 71 | 72 | | Sinkewitz | 76 | 50 | 66 | 71 | 74 | |  Shushemoin | 75 | 56 | 72 | 71 | 75 | | Fankhauser | 75 | 70 | 74 | 68 | 70 | |  De Maar | 74 | 66 | 77 | 72 | 76 | | Stachowiak | 75 | 68 | 71 | 67 | 71 | | Soler | 74 | 54 | 71 | 74 | 73 |
Mendes has dominated the last season riding for Bank of Ireland, however this has been a pretty much interlocutory year since he joined Severstal. He still has won a couple of classics, but hasn’t been that consistent since. This race doesn’t suit him completely because of the flat finale, but if there’s someone who can make a difference attacking on the steepest slopes, well then that’s him for sure.
Netia is definitely the strongest team on paper, lining up an impressive number of potential winners. Zeits is above all and will probably be their leader, but they definitely don’t lack second lines, such as Sinkewitz, Stachowiak and Der. All of them could well be leaders in any other team, for this kind of race! Their depth could definitely come in handy in this kind of race.
Lejman was anticipated as one of the CT’s division best puncheurs before the start of the season. Nonetheless, he hasn’t shown much at all so far, and can be included among this season’s biggest disappointments. He could try to redeem himself tomorrow though.
Rabon has been a good bet for the hilly races so far, being pretty consistent in especially in stage races. Being able to count on a more than decent sprint will help him. Simon’s season on the other hand has been highs and lows mostly, with its top being his recent win at Acropolis Cup. He is a bit the same kind of rider as the Czech, so watch out for him in the finale! Both riders can also count on some great domestiques.
De Maar is that kind of classics man any CT team needs: he is a long-lasting attacker, a great puncheur and a decent sprinter and cobbler. This year he’s proved all his worth after joining Carlsberg, winning a couple of races against some terrific fields for the CT level.
| Punchy Sprinter | SP | HI | AC | RE | ST | | Punchy Sprinter | SP | HI | AC | RE | ST | | Matysiak | 76 | 73 | 74 | 68 | 73 | | Tamouridis | 74 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 70 | | Pozdnyakov | 75 | 73 | 74 | 71 | 72 | | Uchima | 72 | 74 | 74 | 66 | 75 | | Iglinski | 75 | 71 | 74 | 68 | 70 | | Kuznetsov | 72 | 70 | 75 | 73 | 75 | | Mørkøv | 74 | 74 | 70 | 70 | 72 | |  Trillini | 72 | 70 | 73 | 67 | 71 | | Millan | 74 | 72 | 75 | 70 | 70 | | Zielinski | 70 | 74 | 74 | 67 | 71 |  Capecchi | 74 | 70 | 75 | 68 | 71 | | Bauer | 70 | 73 | 70 | 73 | 74 |
We haven’t talked about some of the punchy sprinters yet also. These are the riders whose strongest point is the sprint, but who can still get over the hills more than well, and because of these reasons, they’re greatly suited to these classics. Matysiak is exactly that kind of rider, and he’s probably the most dangerous rider being aware of his team’s lineup. He isn’t the better sprinter here though, although the few that are better than him on paper, are not as good as him uphill.
Novatek has tons of these riders, lining up Pozdnyakov, Iglinski and Kuznetsov for instance, besides Rabon; it’s hard to say who will be their actual leader though.
Other interesting teams/riders we haven’t talked about before but who we should equally keep tabs on are Alpina with Acevedo, Godoy and Soler; Indosat with Rocchetti and Uchima; Elta with Ilias and Tamouridis; and last but definitely not least Compal with Shushemoin and Bauer.
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| Selwink |
Posted on 19-11-2015 10:16
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Assuming we have a max of 2 scoring riders:
1st
2nd+10th
3rd+8th
4th+7th
5th+6th
All these bring at least 62 points, which is the minimum to overtake Strava. Of course, a third scoring rider would bring some more comfort, but I don't think that's very realistic unfortunately.
Great preview matt, hopefully the outcome of the race is equally good for me 
edit: The preview is a bit outdated, Compal is not leading the CT anymore 
Edited by Selwink on 19-11-2015 10:22
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 19-11-2015 10:17
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Come on, breakaway victory for us |
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 19-11-2015 10:19
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Classics Specialist
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I think that this race might be too hard for Matysiak though 
Lejman will obviously fail and I would honestly keep the good fortune cookie in having 1500 points in the end
If Zielinski can get the unlikely break, he might be able to do some damage 
Great preview btw!
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 19-11-2015 10:34
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It is all about Chérel for us as we close out our season here. Top 10 would be nice just so we can end on a high.
Thanks for the great preview matt!
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 19-11-2015 11:48
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Alright, final regular race of the season! Time to make the title push.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 19-11-2015 12:13
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Last race of the season for us. I hope Shushemoin can make a small surprise here and if Bauer can hang on, then he'll be up there as well. I really need at least a podium here, or actually to win, but I guess any more than a top-10 is too much too hope for, we're just not a hilly classics team this season.
Thanks for the report Matt and good luck to all the other CT-teams, let's make a thrilling finale here! |
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| Roextro |
Posted on 19-11-2015 14:22
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The team has a win goal here, Simon has a big chance to win!
Excellent preview Matt |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 03:31
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 19-11-2015 15:44
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We have a top 5 goal here, but I only care about they top eleven or equivalent.
Thanks a lot for the great preview Matt and good luck everyone in the final race of the season.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Stromeon |
Posted on 19-11-2015 18:04
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Well if both Acevedo and Godoy can fire here, then there is still the slimmest of possibilities we could overtake SanCor and claim that coveted 10th place, but it's a big if and I'm pretty sure it's a step too far. Nevertheless it brings to a close what has been a fascinating CT season, one that I have really enjoyed, despite some frustrating times for the team. Looking forward to one final race!
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| jsh312mufc |
Posted on 19-11-2015 18:48
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Let's go breakaway! |
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 19-11-2015 21:15
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Hopefully Mendes will show his skills for a last time this season. Looking forward to this race. And then it's straight to the offseason.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 19-11-2015 21:36
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This seems like the sort of course that Simon should excel at - hilly but not with a finish on a hill, likely to end in a small group sprint, and long enough for his stamina to come in to play.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 19-11-2015 23:12
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I'm just here, hoping for the best.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 20-11-2015 07:12
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On the one side, i am supporting Raboň to win here for Novatek, but on the other, i would like to see Strava on top of the CT in the end of the year, so may the best one win!
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 20-11-2015 11:38
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Well that no show from Sodexo means that it is a nothing end to the season! Another evaluation of the squad might be needed before transfers begin!
Thanks for the report Matt and well done BBL
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| tastasol |
Posted on 20-11-2015 11:55
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Well, huge congrats to Selwink and Novatek. If I'm not totally stupid, that should secure the title for them
And congrats to bbl for the win. You just have to wonder what your season would look like without De Maar, great signing.
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| Shonak |
Posted on 20-11-2015 12:01
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Tour de France Champion
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Oh man. Gratz to Selwink. I would have preferred to lose it against a newly founded team like Fablok and not an already established CT team but alas, that's that. Bye bye eternal glory.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 20-11-2015 12:25
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Classics Specialist
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So many 2nd and 4th places in classics this year and what do we get; 2nd and 4th place xD
Nice race from the team though
Feel sad for Shonak, mostly cause Jan Barta has just secured a title
Thanks for the report
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| roturn |
Posted on 20-11-2015 12:33
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Wow. Feel really sorry for trek here as Netia was fooled a lot. What was expected to be an easy step towards PCT was obviously too much pressure.
Great win for Carlsberg though, who had one hell of a season, when seeing that De Maar is their only good rider.
(I know Rasmussen is a beast for some reason only god knows why, and Rannieres obviously is a beast as well for reasons only bbl knows and I could go on with Koep but he just is no beast for reasons everyone knows)
Novatek once again with their everybody can win tactic. And in the end this is just as always the perfect way to deliver multiple top 10`s. Even more impressive than Gazelle at their best imo.
Even weirder that Netia couldn`t deliver a similar multiple top10 rush all season long in those kind of races as their roster should have done more of those. |
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