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Classique du Grand-Duché Discussion
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 09-08-2016 18:20
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 Classique du Grand-Duché
The third race in the triple header with Paris – Nice and Tirreno – Adriatico is here, La Classique du Grand-Duché. Over 227.7km the race travels through Luxembourg, winding its way up from Luxembourg City to Diekirch. After a section of flat at the beginning the race becomes very hilly with almost no flat sections. The toughest two climbs are long climbs the second with roughly 20km to go before two shorter climbs, the final one being a very steep pinch up to the finish.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | | 2011 |  Yuri Trofimov |  Patrik Sinkewitz | Frank Schleck | | 2012 | Frank Schleck |  Jan Bakelants |  Robert Gesink | | 2013 |  Damiano Cunego | Simone Ponzi | Yuri Trofimov | | 2014 | Yuri Trofimov | Simone Ponzi | Frank Schleck | | 2015 | Simone Ponzi |  Tejay Van Garderen | Ben Gastauer |
Only one rider has won this race twice in Trofimov, but he lines up in Italy instead this year, both  Schleck and  Ponzi however are here, although the former has aged considerably. Riders such as  Van Garderen, Gastauer and  Bakelants are here however to make amends for previous podium places.
Favourites: | HL | ACC | STA | | HL | ACC | STA | | Bakelants | 84 | 78 | 81 |  Sagan | 80 | 76 | 78 |  Ginanni | 83 | 74 | 78 |  van der Hugenhaben | 80 | 66 | 77 | | Ponzi | 83 | 80 | 77 |  Lutsenko | 80 | 81 | 76 |  Spilak | 82 | 74 | 80 |  Pichon | 79 | 76 | 74 |  Kelderman | 82 | 72 | 80 |  Van Stayen | 78 | 77 | 76 | | Van Garderen | 82 | 79 | 78 |  Juul-Jensen | 78 | 79 | 76 | | Gastauer | 82 | 76 | 78 | Edmondson | 78 | 76 | 75 |  Schreurs | 81 | 74 | 76 | Meyer | 78 | 77 | 74 |
A lot of possible contenders missing but of those here Bakelants is surely the favourite. Badaling International winner Ginanni and defending champion Ponzi are both likely to make that difficult for him. A host of other riders including Spilak, Kelderman, Van Garderen, Gastauer and Schreurs are all competing too and can’t be discounted.
Startlist:
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Smowz |
Posted on 09-08-2016 18:29
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Siutsou FTW in the style of his Japan Cup triumph many years back.
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| roturn |
Posted on 09-08-2016 18:29
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Looking forward what our 2nd row in the hilly terrain can do.
Villella and Bennett should fight for the top20 and also Thurau/Scheit could perform in a breakaway.
Main goal though is to be seen somewhere different to the recent cobbled classics. So breakaway please even though only 6 riders might hurt the chances.
Ginanni was huge in Badaling. So it`s him, Bakelants or almighty Ponzi for this one. |
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 09-08-2016 18:49
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After our crashes in Paris-Nice and Tirreno Ponzi is almost certain to end his race in a ditch it seems.
Only the win will do however with horrible scores coming from two races of the triple header.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 09-08-2016 18:56
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| matt17br |
Posted on 09-08-2016 19:33
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Ponzi TVG or Bakelants for this one I'd say, but tend to think the American will want to finally take a win here.
Thanks for the preview!
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 09-08-2016 19:53
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A nice top 10 would be great just gaining steady points is all I ask |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 14:13
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 09-08-2016 20:24
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An interesting trip for us into a non-cobbled race in the PT. I don't expect for us to do too much here, but to get our two new riders Chaves and Beltran some experience at the PT level in a race more suited for their abilities.
AZTECA - NBCSN  |
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| Roman |
Posted on 09-08-2016 20:52
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Another Sagan miracle. Sounds good to me. Please. 
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| knockout |
Posted on 09-08-2016 20:55
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I tried to not send VS to pure hilly races but I had to use this opportunity with many stars at T-A. Don't have the feeling he will do well here but I can still hope for the better...
I think one of those outsiders with 77-80 HI like e.g. Juul Jensen or Chavez might be able to sneak away from the peleton from far with some key domestiques missing due to T-A but also the break might have a realistic chance for once. Otherwise, the first favourite to attack will take it.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| beagle |
Posted on 09-08-2016 21:48
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Expectations? None. I´m not participating 
Good luck to all.
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| DubbelDekker |
Posted on 09-08-2016 21:57
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Probably the weakest start-list for a hilly classic all year. Would be amazing if Ginanni can capitalize on that and make it 2 wins out of 2.
As knockout says, the domestique field is much weaker than normal indeed. Could make things interesting. Our 77, 76, 75, 73, 72, 70 support squad is still not worthless though; so I have good hope that they can control things for Ginanni if needed.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 09-08-2016 22:55
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Wellens is only here because I think he had two race days free. I just want us to get into the break.
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| ember |
Posted on 09-08-2016 23:14
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Should be a really interesting race. Ponzi must be the favourite, and he kind of needs to deliver as well, considering FroomeDog99's hopes of survival and Ponzi's wage.
For us, there are absolutely no expectations. Joining the breakaway will be a bonus |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 10-08-2016 04:53
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matt17br wrote:
Ponzi TVG or Bakelants for this one I'd say, but tend to think the American will want to finally take a win here.
I sure hope so, it's a "Win" season goal for us. 
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 10-08-2016 08:01
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Obviously no expectations except of maybe jjoining the early break aand also Haas sshould at least finish with the first big group behinnd the favorites. His backup stats (STA) ain't bad afterall.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 10-08-2016 08:24
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One of the weaklest lineups for hilly classic for sure thanks to triple header, so Bratashcuk could hopefully fight for top15 or try some sneaky attack. No pressure here, just fun. Godd luck to all.
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 10-08-2016 08:54
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Weakest lineup for Tinkoff of the season, but you never know, Gusev and Zakarin might try their luck
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 10-08-2016 10:21
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This is the first race where I expect anything from the Lutsenko-Edmondson partnership. A top 10 should be on the cards I reckon. Hilly races are a lot less predictable than cobble classics so this should be an interesting one with some of the would-be favourites hanging around in Italy.
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| tastasol |
Posted on 10-08-2016 10:49
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knockout wrote:
I think one of those outsiders with 77-80 HI like e.g. Juul Jensen or Chavez might be able to sneak away from the peleton from far with some key domestiques missing due to T-A but also the break might have a realistic chance for once. Otherwise, the first favourite to attack will take it.
I like that thought!
A top 10 would be great here, and could also be possible looking at the start list.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 10-08-2016 10:58
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Part 2 of my TA-Duché gamble is Kelderman doing well here, which looking at the startlist should be quite doable.
Factoring in his STA and the will to strike back after the Badaling crash, a Top 5 can be achieved. I hope 75-75-72-72-72 can help keep the break in sight.
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