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Volta a Catalunya Discussion
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| matt17br |
Posted on 08-08-2016 18:03
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Directeur Sportif
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 Volta a Catalunya
10th edition, 2nd in PCT, for one of the Man Game’s most iconic stage races: the Volta a Catalunya. 6 breathless days for the riders, who will have to face a week full of different challenges, stretching from incredibly tough mountain stages to short and long Time Trials, as well as chances for sprinters that can get over the hills and top puncheurs. But in the end, if you want to have a chance to win this you certainly need to be able to climb with the best, and the list of past winners shows it.
 Contador’s trademark consistency won him this race last year, and while that was quite likely his last chance to set a win record – he’s the only one who has won here twice – he’s back here to defend his title. He’ll have to face the likes of  Úran, who’ll also try to repeat his successful 2010 campaign, back when the race still was PT level,  Intxausti and  Denifl.
But let’s take a look at the rest of the favourites.
| Stage Racer | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | Stage Racer | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | Denifl | 84 | 76 | 72 | 71 | 65 |  Anacona | 79 | 74 | 66 | 72 | 61 | | Úran | 82 | 74 | 78 | 81 | 71 | Brenes | 79 | 73 | 69 | 80 | 70 | | Intxausti | 82 | 71 | 77 | 78 | 70 |  Sella | 79 | 72 | 64 | 78 | 73 | | Contador | 81 | 75 | 73 | 77 | 68 |  Moschella | 79 | 69 | 69 | 70 | 62 |  Ji | 80 | 75 | 69 | 69 | 65 |  Roche | 78 | 80 | 72 | 75 | 72 |  Pinot | 80 | 74 | 65 | 79 | 69 |  Lövkvist | 78 | 75 | 73 | 77 | 67 | | Shikai | 80 | 71 | 76 | 76 | 65 |  Cataldo | 78 | 75 | 69 | 76 | 73 | | Duarte | 80 | 68 | 75 | 76 | 73 | Signorini | 78 | 69 | 65 | 72 | 74 |
As we can see, Úran should be considered the main favourite for this, because of his all-round stage racing abilities. He has won this race already, and done so at a higher level as well, so he certainly knows what to do to repeat himself. Denifl was one of the most expensive transfers of the last period, with his wage currently nearing a million euros. He’ll have to show he’s worth those starting from this race, after a severely disappointing season in PT racing for the Volkswagen colors. Intxausti also didn’t particularly impress racing for RBC last year, but this is one hell of a chance to redeem himself. He’ll have to defend himself in the hillier stages, a point that is not particularly in his favor, as we know by now.
Contador still has podium chances, but his winning hopes may have to be postponed to a later race. Duarte has had some good and bad races at Venchi, PT level, last season, but this one doesn’t seem one of those suiting his skills the best. The same could be said for Pinot and Ji, not top TTists by any means. Shikai, shared leader of Meiji along with the other Chinese climber, is however the complete opposite, so we’ll have to see how they’ll fare as the race progresses.
| Time Trialist | TT | PR | RS | AC | HI | Sprinter | SP | AC | RS | HI | MO | | Paillot | 80 | 80 | 74 | 64 | 71 |  Vanoverschelde | 80 | 75 | 64 | 62 | 54 |  Gonzalez Salas | 80 | 80 | 76 | 54 | 60 | Aberasturi | 79 | 78 | 71 | 64 | 59 | | Kwok | 79 | 79 | 73 | 76 | 62 | Bennett | 79 | 79 | 68 | 63 | 53 | | Quaade | 78 | 76 | 70 | 63 | 63 | Aregger | 78 | 77 | 71 | 71 | 64 | | Ligthart | 78 | 78 | 66 | 74 | 58 | Fonseca | 78 | 77 | 68 | 61 | 54 | | Bibby | 77 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 76 | Keough | 78 | 75 | 67 | 64 | 60 |  Nepomnyachsniy | 77 | 77 | 75 | 75 | 74 | Polivoda | 77 | 77 | 68 | 67 | 62 | | Aregger | 68 | 78 | 71 | 77 | 71 | Opie | 77 | 77 | 71 | 66 | 62 |
Among the top stage hunters who have been sent here by their respective managers, we can find Roche, who not only could decide to race for the GC, but will also be the favorite for the punchy stages in this race. Bibby is another top name, as he’s able to compete in a wide array of terrains, but is not among the best overall in any of those. However, in a race whose field doesn’t seem to live up to the one offered by last year’s racing, he could well take a stage win home.
Among Time Trialists, who will be able to play their cards in 2 stages – a very short prologue and a very long flat TT – we can find the two youngsters Paillot and Gonzalez Salas. The former has proved he can compete with the best in PT, while the latter should have finally finished developing into one of the top of TTists of the division. Alongside them Kwok, who may turn out to be the favorite in the prologue, thanks to his explosiveness.
The respective team managers have wisely decided to leave their top sprinters home, with only a stage – which is not even pan flat by any means mind you – that actually would suit them. A few riders, however, will benefit from taking the gamble and putting their name down for this race. Vanoverschelde has had a season start that has been nothing short of surprising. Too much pressure was put onto him because of his 1 million price tag, and he’s now switched teams with scaled down goals; and it sure has worked so far.
His main competitor could well be found inside his own team, it’s Bennett, who has also had a decent season start. It will be hard to say who between the two will contest the sprints as leader, situation really similar to the one Pokerstars have been in last year when Degenkolb and Mohs were in the same race, which always meant no wins for them. Aberasturi and Aregger will also hope they can take a stage home. The former failed to surprise in PT at Bacardi, but will now try to have a decent season in PCT to prove his worth again, while the latter is the one that best can get over the tough slopes the easiest stage will reserve to the riders.
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| fjhoekie |
Posted on 08-08-2016 18:06
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GO YEVGENI!
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game |
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 08-08-2016 18:08
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Classics Specialist
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First of all Nice Preview!
Secondly! We actually have a win condition here, if Roche manage to keep st. with the other climbers on the 2nd stage and take the hilly stage with some sort of gap, we might be able to hold on the lead in the TT. The last Mountain stage doesn't seem to selective, so hopefully that will be a quiet day.
I would say that Uran will win this one with his good TT and his climbing skills. Denifl will fail I'm afraid.
Also have Cohen here, so he will hopefully take part in the sprint 
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| dev4ever |
Posted on 08-08-2016 18:17
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Small Tour Specialist
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Really hood preview!
Salas and Aberasturi has a pretty decent shot at winning stages, so Im happy with that. Otherwise I hope we can go into breaks and Ablenado to do something for a change.
Im probably gonna bet a decent sum on Uran for this one.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 08-08-2016 18:18
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2 stage wins possible, go Aberasturi and Gonzales Salas!
Very interesting to see that none of the GC guys have great acceleration to offer. That's why I go with Denifl going still second, but Uran should be untouchable.
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| Smowz |
Posted on 08-08-2016 18:27
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Should be a real classic race this between former Vesuvioites Intxausti - the guy that was so close to taking a Vuelta a whiles back against Uran who in general has been second tier waiting for big result.
I would go for Uran here - if he misses podium he is taking the piss. Denifl is a bit of a Frankie monster he needs to attack that vicious stage two.
We also have those MG GT bridesmaids Sella and Contador sad decline for them I fear.
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| The Rider |
Posted on 08-08-2016 18:55
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Heavy breathing. Here it is then: our win goal. Gutted to see an 84 on the startlist, it's just like my 10km the other day when some Ethiopians turned up!
Podium has to be the goal. Go Contador Go! |
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 09-08-2016 02:41
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Finally our season starts! We've got a particularly strong team here, going to be extremely disappointed if we can't pull off at least a top 5 and two in the top 15. The Time trial could decide the race; I think that's where Uran will better Denifl and eventually come out on top as he's far superior. Daily form could have something to say about that though - it is PCM afterall.
Indosat - ANZ HQ
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 09-08-2016 02:57
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I really want to win the prologue, and hopefully Ji and Shikai can both get Top 10s. If one falls down in the GC hope they hunt for stages. Arashiro could sneak a Top 10 on the sprint stage too
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 09-08-2016 02:59
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daily form will be a lottery but Uran has to be the favorite with a long time trial - guess if Denifl manouevers himself into the leader's jersey he could get a wee boost from that too. Very good preview matt, looking forward to it 
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| Heine |
Posted on 09-08-2016 06:51
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I have to wonder, will Denifl finish top 10? That is the big question for me here
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| roturn |
Posted on 09-08-2016 07:59
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Heine wrote:
I have to wonder, will Denifl finish top 10? That is the big question for me here
Wouldn't be surprised if he will be a regular top3-5 in PCT.
In PCT stats he is so much better in comparison. |
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 09-08-2016 08:09
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I expect a top 10 from Duarte.. He just needs to keep it on the road in the hills. |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 09-08-2016 08:16
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I sent both Pinot and Bibby here because Pinot had a lot of racedays spare. Hopefully they can both finish in the top 10, as while Bibby will lose a fair bit of time on the climbs he should make some back in the TTs - and vice versa for Pinot. |
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 09-08-2016 08:27
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I'm glad I avoided this one. It should be a great race with so many top riders.
Great preview matt!
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| Margh Norway |
Posted on 09-08-2016 15:50
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Sprinter
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Thanks for the nice and detailed preview, matt!
Race is like a quick skills challenge. It needs a complete rider to be among the the best. Though among the ones capable to win it one breakthrough efford can make the difference.
Indosat with an impressive team, indeed. These guys can surely defend a lead... if they ever conquer it from Denifl or Úran.
Cataldos mission will be the same as in Tachira: Not becoming too impressed by the strong GC-field and manage to somehow cruise into the top10.
Many steeper sections will suit Maillet very well, he is free (and willing) to attack.
Than there is another chance for Aregger. Top10th are expected in both, prologue and bunch sprint (in case there is any at stage 4).
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| Bikex |
Posted on 09-08-2016 15:57
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This race will be an indicator of how my entire season will be. Denifl sucks(Outside top 3/5): We'll relegate, Denifl podiums: It will be a loong season but we'll probably stay up, Denifl wins: We'll have a decent season where we won't have to look too much over our shoulder.
After no great results in February, Denifl is the last one to make this a successful month. |
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 09-08-2016 20:11
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Pretty good start, not losing time to Uran that much and almost close at winning the stage. So overall happy, now on to the mountain stage, where I hope Roche can hold an st. time to the line with the other big guns
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| jph27 |
Posted on 09-08-2016 20:14
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Nice start, but means nothing if Bibby loses a massive amount on Stage 2 - if he can stay within 2/3 minutes of the winner I'll be happy enough. |
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| dev4ever |
Posted on 09-08-2016 20:19
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Dang it. So close to the win for Salas..
Still 2nd is nice, just a golden opportunity missed.
Now onto stage hunting mode team!
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