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Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne Discussion
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 29-01-2020 15:48
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Team Manager
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.
 Kuurne – Bruxelles - Kuurne
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Race Preview
Welcome to Kuurne – Bruxelles – Kuurne! After two years as C2, the prestigous race is now HC with a lot of pro continental teams assembled. And it's a race with a long ManGame history as well, going back to 2008. Last year’s edition was won by Roger Kluge, who is not here to defend his title as his team does not participate. In fact, the entire 2018 podium is not participating. In contrast, 2017 winner Sam Harrison is here as well as Pieter Vanspeybrouck, the only other rider present who has previously won the race: as far back as 2011.
The profile is mostly flat with a few hills sprinkled in that provide additional difficulty but don’t tend to be decisive. Neither have been the cobbles in recent years, at least not conclusively: Both in 2017 and in 2018, when the current route with a total of 22 kilometers of cobbles was ridden for the first time, the race was decided in a sprint from a group of between 30 and 40 riders.
With that in mind, let’s first have a look at the sprinters with enough cobblestone skills to possibly survive up front until the finish line:
| FL | CO | SP | AC | | FL | CO | SP | AC |  Saber | 75 | 76 | 81 | 79 |  Kvist | 75 | 71 | 77 | 78 |  Van Asbroeck | 75 | 74 | 80 | 78 |  Lovassy | 68 | 73 | 77 | 77 | | Havik | 73 | 76 | 79 | 76 | Martinez | 72 | 73 | 76 | 76 |  Stallaert | 77 | 81 | 79 | 76 |  Sh. Kuroeda | 72 | 75 | 76 | 73 |  Rowe | 78 | 75 | 79 | 80 | Ariesen | 74 | 70 | 76 | 76 |  Thwaites | 73 | 76 | 78 | 76 |  Tsatevich | 74 | 75 | 75 | 75 |  Harrison | 72 | 73 | 78 | 81 |  Merlier | 70 | 71 | 75 | 74 |
Stallaert has probably the most complete skill set out of all riders for this race. He comes (relatively) fresh off a win at Le Samyn and has Sweeck as a strong domestique. Saber is the fastest of the bunch, but he might not even be the leader in his own team, as Havik, who finished third in 2017, is also here. Van Asbroeck, Rowe, Thwaites and 2017 winner Harrison round out the best sprinters with a good number of outsiders behind them.
It needs to be noted though that there have been a few races already this season whose cobblestones have proved to be much rougher than in years past. Hence, it is possible that the race turns out to be more selective than in previous years. If that happens, here's who we'll have to look out for (in addition to Stallaert):
| FL | CO | SP | AC | | FL | CO | SP | AC |  Summerhill | 78 | 83 | 70 | 73 |  Breen | 77 | 78 | 73 | 72 | | Vanspeybrouck | 76 | 82 | 67 | 69 | Bush | 74 | 78 | 71 | 73 |  Spengler | 74 | 82 | 61 | 70 | Kuroeda | 74 | 77 | 74 | 78 |  Zepuntke | 72 | 81 | 72 | 65 | Bohli | 74 | 77 | 74 | 68 | | Sibilla | 71 | 81 | 66 | 64 |  Chatarunga | 72 | 77 | 70 | 68 | | Vanbilsen | 78 | 80 | 72 | 71 | Kulppi | 73 | 77 | 65 | 70 |  Baugnies | 78 | 80 | 65 | 73 | Debesay | 75 | 77 | 69 | 78 |  Ferreira | 73 | 79 | 71 | 69 |  Kosic | 72 | 77 | 59 | 64 | | Fenn | 72 | 79 | 70 | 69 | Domene | 73 | 76 | 74 | 75 |
Summerhill and Vanspeybrouck are the best specialists on paper and we’ve seen them on the first two steps of a podium as recently as stage 1 of the KBC De Panne Tour, a race the latter eventually won. Summerhill also was second to only Sam Bewley in E3 and he brings a strong supporting cast including Bakari, Machado and Eeckhout, and Vanspeybrouck can count on Sinkeldam. But there are a lot of other ambitious riders:
Vanbilsen, who won Roma Maxima earlier this season and came second only to Stallaert at Le Samyn, is a powerful complement to the aforementioned Van Asbroeck. Zepuntke is one of the quicker specialists and he has good domestiques in Albert and Lindeman.
Spengler and Sibilla meanwhile will have to rely on the race being as tough as possible, they won't stand a chance in any kind of sprint. Both teams do have speedy options in Bohli and the Kuroedas, respectively.
Baugnies and Ferreira are also very much in play for a top position if the race gets tougher, as well as Fenn, Bush and Debesay, but these three also may just end up working for Thwaites, Harrison and Rowe, respectively, if we're looking at a sprint finish.
Breen, who finished fifth last year, might be able to do something with his sprinting ability, as could Domene. Valio and Iberio also may try to take advantage of having two decent riders here each.
Special mention for Jempy Drucker, who has missed the podium ever so closely in the last two years, coming in fourth twice. He’s competing against a much stronger field now but maybe his familiarity with the terrain and that extra bit of motivation can give him an edge.
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| fjhoekie |
Posted on 29-01-2020 15:51
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4476
Joined: 25-07-2010
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Yet another race my team is present on paper... Probably not more than that...
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game |
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| redordead |
Posted on 29-01-2020 16:06
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
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Like with E3 beforehand I had to skip this race because of clashes, but I don't have any cobblers anyways so it doesn't matter 
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 29-01-2020 16:12
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
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I'm afraid the 5* cobbles might ruin Van Asbroeck's chances, but we still have Vanbilsen as backup with a lot to prove after a disappointing E3. Looking forward to see how the AI handles this one!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 08:49
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| beagle |
Posted on 29-01-2020 16:15
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4200
Joined: 06-10-2007
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Back in the action again! Few points achieved by Kosic or Domene would be very welcome.
Stallaert seems to be the main favourite in my eyes and is man to beat.
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 29-01-2020 16:36
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
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I'm hoping for a tough race that VSB can capitalize on, but I won't hold me breath. If it isn't selective, then hopefully Kvist wills tick around to nab a minor placing.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| sammyt93 |
Posted on 29-01-2020 17:16
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3634
Joined: 03-07-2012
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I feel like we need to hope for a break appearance to get anything out of this one, and even then it's likely only going to be air time.
Hopefully the kids can surprise me.
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 29-01-2020 17:31
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Team Leader
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I don't see many cobblers below 76 making this to a top result, so I hope that Ferreira could have a top 10'ish result.
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 29-01-2020 21:04
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
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Zepuntke hasn't been that great this season, let's turn it around here!
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 29-01-2020 22:01
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
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We need to turn this season around now... double threat of Rowe and Debesay have so far failed to to fire but this race suits them in either situation.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| fintas |
Posted on 29-01-2020 22:39
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2602
Joined: 21-03-2008
PCM$: 1200.00
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When your team is rated even worse than the control team you know you're fucked up.
That's all I have to say about this race
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 30-01-2020 05:50
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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Not sure whether to expect a selective race or not, but given how the cobbles have behaved so far this season, it looks like a selective race is what is ahead of us. Despite this, hopefully, we can do considerably better than E3. This season is going nowhere at the moment.
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 31-01-2020 08:27
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
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That's actually not too bad from Zepuntke. Had feared he would end up last in a small bunch sprint again but he actually managed to ride away from the group. Sixth place is very nice result despite the late overtake, his best performance of the season so far.
Thanks for the report cunego59! Congrats viking90!
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| fjhoekie |
Posted on 31-01-2020 08:49
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4476
Joined: 25-07-2010
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2 riders finished! Improvements!
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 31-01-2020 09:07
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
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I'll happily take 3rd behind the big 2. Pretty sure I had a goal here as well so a good race for us!
Congrats Viking and thanks to Cunego for the report!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 31-01-2020 09:08
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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This season... what's happening??
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 31-01-2020 09:43
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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Everything that was working last season, isn't this time. We're on the long slide towards the drop. Need to turn things around fast.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 31-01-2020 09:48
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
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The 5* cobbles decision continues to hurt several teams, it seems. Still a win for the best dual threat of course, but I see plenty of disappointed managers again.
Thank you cunego59 for taking care of so many races lately! Your reporting experience shows.
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 31-01-2020 10:01
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Breen really is the standout rider of the team so far this season. With the exception of De Panne, he's been incredibly consistent throughout. Another solid race from him here, and a great effort from van der Haar as well, even though he fell behind a bit towards the end.
Thanks for your great work lately, cunego!
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| beagle |
Posted on 31-01-2020 10:22
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4200
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Another zero pointer. At least we´ve got some TV time.
Thanks for the report cunego and congrats viking!
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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