Some very interesting trainings this year, and some very scary ones, like always! Happy most of the cobbles guys aren't in PCT, but certainly life won't be easier with all these!
Unfortunately I've never had the money or ranking security to even consider training, but clearly it can pay off big time. Maybe some day!
Personal favorite of mine is seeing Kulppi to 77. Should really help him lead in CT where the competition has gotten insane.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
PCT is definitely interesting - usually there's one or two teams I look at and think "yep, they're definitely promoting" but I can't seem to find a team like that here. There's definitely a few great teams that'll all be up there in the promotion fight though. The division seems much closer than it has in previous years.
Very interesting trainings, and even more to see some I thought would be secure trainings, not happening. Something like Degenkolb 85SPR. Looking at how many riders Iberia have sold I find it somewhat amazing that they haven't managed to secure enough for him to level up. But I definately can't complain as that effectively puts Coquard up among the top 3 sprinters in the world, well maybe sometimes just 4th. Also Michael van Stayen should become even more of a beast this season! What a rider...
What also strikes me is the amount of money thrown into training random riders. I sure do hope that they are long term projects, or so important in terms of nationality (or similar) for the teams, because otherwise I could have spotted significantly better ways to spend 500K+.
It will be very interesting to see what the training does to riders such as Morton, Olivier, De Bie, Beltran, Barguil, Demare, Schelling and Stallaert.
Eden95 wrote:
PCT is definitely interesting - usually there's one or two teams I look at and think "yep, they're definitely promoting" but I can't seem to find a team like that here. There's definitely a few great teams that'll all be up there in the promotion fight though. The division seems much closer than it has in previous years.
Looking at the choices of PTHC bands, I would put Iberia very high. I don't know what they can perform at lower level, but they will score extremely well at PTHC level, probably even winning 3-4 of them outright.
Looks like we will have some good battles in CT with fairly equally matched leaders on all terrains.
Also no Icelandic champion appointed
I would really love if that could happen. Letting Omarsson keep the titles, giving Brynjolfsson the title for doing best on the road last season or just tossing a coin doesn't matter. I would just really like the jersey to be allowed on the road.
roturn wrote:
A bit annoying to see Van Stayen onl yat -4rd in comparison to Swift.
Let`s hope their schedules at least only clash half of the race days.
Would make it more Coquard vs. Swift more regular while Degenkolb also got some wildcards.
Other than that the usual opponents with Bewley, Ahlstrand, Ciolek maybe, Demare/Van der Lijke/Kump maybe more this yaer.
Groenewegen should struggle more but still belongs to the top sprinters.
De Bie now in the top5 area, while Olivier/Dekker will still have to fight for a top10.
Don't forget 83SPR Grosu either. He should be very strong...
Barguil on 81 MO will be pretty interesting, good move, imo. And of course I kinda like the Travis Meyer move up to 79 HI! He should become a great CT rider, if planned right. Counting on you, sutty
Atlantius wrote:
Looks like we will have some good battles in CT with fairly equally matched leaders on all terrains.
Also no Icelandic champion appointed
I would really love if that could happen. Letting Omarsson keep the titles, giving Brynjolfsson the title for doing best on the road last season or just tossing a coin doesn't matter. I would just really like the jersey to be allowed on the road.
To add to NC's (not sure if they've been properly addressed yet. If not, ignore this.), Robin Manulang is only listed as RR NC, when he's a dual champion.
I Have to say, this season looks to be a lot more balanced than usual, very hard to say "that team is best" and great to see some very interesting trainings. I love what Roturn have done, but also other trainings, looking at Kump/Demare/MvS we are going to see a really exciting Milan-San Remo...
Pro Tour:
With both Festina and Moser regressing a bit, and other getting stronger we are in for a tight season I believe. I love the looks on some of the teams, like Air France (EBH looking really sexy there), Hugo Boss (Kristoff looks like a perfect piece) and Aker with all their leaders. This should also be THE season for Puma, if they don't make a real push now their team will soon fall into real big cap trouble.
PCT:
Many reall interesting teams, and about 10 than could realistically fight for promotion. How will Popo do with their big leader? Philips looks lik a really interesting team. Novatek with some high main stat riders, but will their weaknesses drag them down? Nordstrom crazy hill depth. Meji's Asian riders looking really good (Choi and Shikai acc weakness, but Kinoshita should have a great season this year)! Indosat looking really good. How will Iberia do? Lots of pressure on Degenkolb/Blythe/Izagirre. And many more teams can fight for it! My main guess is Ayubowan! without diving deeper into it. I really like the Monsalve/Yates/McCarthy combo
CT:
Even harder for me having never been here, but many good teams and interesting builds. I set Valio is my favorite to win this division, Gautier/Manninen/König is a great trio, and good depth aswell.
SotD wrote:
Very interesting trainings, and even more to see some I thought would be secure trainings, not happening. Something like Degenkolb 85SPR. Looking at how many riders Iberia have sold I find it somewhat amazing that they haven't managed to secure enough for him to level up. But I definately can't complain as that effectively puts Coquard up among the top 3 sprinters in the world, well maybe sometimes just 4th. Also Michael van Stayen should become even more of a beast this season! What a rider...
What also strikes me is the amount of money thrown into training random riders. I sure do hope that they are long term projects, or so important in terms of nationality (or similar) for the teams, because otherwise I could have spotted significantly better ways to spend 500K+.
It will be very interesting to see what the training does to riders such as Morton, Olivier, De Bie, Beltran, Barguil, Demare, Schelling and Stallaert.
Pretty much this. Much better for me than i expected. Van Stayen is now very close to the top sprinters with guys like Ahlstrandt or Degenkolb not receiving the expected training. (I do think that the Stallaert training is interesting though). Coquard the only one to overtake MVS as a sprinter while Demare and Grosu had to be expected. For the cobbles Stallaert and Wisniowski with interesting trainin getting closer to Greg for the season but noone really overtaking him is good.
De Bie is getting closer to Skujins but should still be weaker while Beltran only annoys me for the future when Lopez will be beasty because he's becoming a similar rider. No huge mountain training is interesting too as Dombo or Phinney could be sick with some training. not that i care too much about that
I think both Dombrowski and Phinney are doing just fine with their current stats
I'm really interested to see if Van Poppel's training will make him more relevant in the sprints. With Gesink gone, I have to turn to him and Gerts for Dutch leadership.
No huge mountain training is interesting too as Dombo or Phinney could be sick with some training. not that i care too much about that
This I really like ;-) Phinney 85 Mon scares me
He wouldn't be able to go to all the TT heavy stage races then though and with one GT massive on TT this season thought it best to wait until next year when Herklotz gets trained.
Though looking at the great job some teams have done I can see myself being in a big relegation scrap this year Phinney or no Phinney
alexkr00 wrote:
I think both Dombrowski and Phinney are doing just fine with their current stats
I'm really interested to see if Van Poppel's training will make him more relevant in the sprints. With Gesink gone, I have to turn to him and Gerts for Dutch leadership.
With Gesink gone I guess the fight between our teams with Dutch leaders is getting more interesting.
