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Tour de Romandie Discussion
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 07-01-2023 16:01
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Tour de France Champion
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The reports will be brought to you by Ulrich Ulriksen!
Welcome to Switzerland for the 2022 Tour de Romandie! The route remains the same as last year, and it's favorable to alpine climbers. We start off with an 18 km TTT to start out the separation. After a bumpy flat day we get to the mountains. Stage 3 has a short, somewhat punchy mountain top finish, while stage 4 is an epic of monster mountains that ends in a short descent. The final GC test is a short mountain TT to Bruson, and then we finish with a flat run into Geneva.
Despite having the same route and categorization as last edition, we will see an entirely new podium this year. Last year's winner Pluchkin is not here, being replaced by the younger Padun. Pierre Latour's Polar team promoted to PT, and Rasmus Guldhammer's Carlsberg are absent too.
Nevertheless, the same types of riders should prosper - climbers. The team time trial will space things out a bit, but should not be decisive against anyone with a semi-competitive setup. Likewise, TT ability may play a very small role in the MTT, but pure climbers have done just fine in the past.
| MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | AC | TTT |  Haig | 82 | 74 | 77 | 76 | 75 | 78 | 73 | **** |  Padun | 82 | 77 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 76 | 75 | *** |  Taaramäe | 81 | 74 | 77 | 73 | 74 | 70 | 70 | ***** |  Shikai | 81 | 71 | 76 | 74 | 76 | 78 | 67 | **** |  Berhane | 81 | 75 | 66 | 77 | 74 | 73 | 68 | ***** |  Aular | 81 | 72 | 70 | 76 | 75 | 77 | 69 | *** |  Sicard | 80 | 76 | 74 | 77 | 76 | 79 | 67 | * |  Penasa | 80 | 74 | 70 | 75 | 72 | 77 | 76 | ** |  Ranaweera | 80 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 74 | 65 | **** |  Carapaz | 80 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 76 | 77 | 65 | ** |  Stüssi | 79 | 73 | 75 | 77 | 73 | 78 | 66 | ***** |  Pomoshnikov | 79 | 74 | 64 | 78 | 76 | 74 | 66 | * |
It's hard to pick a true favorite when the field is so broad, but Haig seems like the most likely winner. He's a fantastic climber with a great engine who can time trial. His team is not super strong uphill, but should be strong enough if they don't have to completely control the race, and they're pretty solid on time trialing, with Durbridge here to lead the TTT charge.
Legend Rein Taaramäe may be the biggest challenger. His engine isn't quite what it once was, but he's still among the best climbers in the division, and Zara have a serious opportunity to set him up for success by winning the opening TTT. Ideally they'd like to keep Conci in the mix too.
With Pluchkin declining and changing his calendar this year, Mark Padun gets the chance to defend Popo4ever's title this time around. In terms of pure power uphill, he might be the strongest guy here, but he is a little lacking in some other needs - his TTT team is okay but not great, as is his mountain support. And while his lack of personal time trialing ability shouldn't be super crucial, it could cost him a few seconds on stage 5.
It's a similar story for Berhane, although he has a pretty strong Project:Africa TTT team to at least put him in a solid starting position. He's more of a tempo climber than Padun though, and he would want longer stages in an ideal world.
Shikai is a similar stage racer to Haig and Taaramae, and he'll be hoping to come out on top of that group. Like many contenders, his team have sacrificed mountain depth here in favor of bolstering the TTT squad, so it will be seen whether he has the strength to survive long periods of the race on his own.
Aular is one of the younger favorites at age 26 (along with Padun). Binance back him with a decent crop of secondary stage racers - he has neither the best TTT nor mountain support, but most of his domestiques are at least decent on both. He's happy there are no hills or flat ITT's here, so this is a chance on the calendar for him to stand out.
Ranaweera is of a similar mold to many of his competitors, but he has the advantage of the best superdomestique in the peloton, Dominik Nerz. If he plays his cards right, he could be fresher in the critical moments of stage 4 by using that support.
Some teams sent their leaders here with prayers rather than TTT support. Sicard, Penasa, and Carapaz are good examples. They are all great climbers, but their respective teams have basically forfeited the TTT. Last year the worst teams lost about a minute to the best, so maybe they reckon those gaps aren't worth the trouble, but it's not as though they've stacked lots of great mountain goats instead - the strategy chosen by Sauber.
On the other hand, the Continental Tour's main representation comes from hometown heroes Jura GIANTS, and they've put their all into this squad to please the sponsors. Stüssi is not the best climber on paper, but he gets a lot of help from his team. Jura have probably the second best TTT squad here, and guys like Masnada and Mäder will be super motivated for minor placings.
| TTT |  Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | * | | Amaysim Cervélo | **** | | Binance | *** |  BNZ-Superhero Racing | ** |  Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | * |  Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | ** |  BWT Hyundai N Cycling | **** | | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | ** | | Jura GIANTS | ***** | | Kraftwerk Man Machine | **** |  Le Creuset | * |  Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | ** | | Philips - Force Indi | ** | | Project: Africa | ***** | | Sauber Petronas Racing | * |  Staffbase - BHP | * | | Strava | * |  Tafjord Kraft | * | | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | *** |  Trans Looney Tunes | *** |  Tryg - Gobik | *** | | Voyagin - Bird | **** |  Xero Racing | **** | | Zara - Irizar | ***** |
As noted earlier, the worst teams last year lost slightly over a minute. The TTT is not going to end anyone's GC bid, but it can definitely make it more difficult.
Zara - Irizar haven't brought a single bad time trialist, so they're the favorites for stage 1. A Jura GIANTS victory wouldn't be surprising either, and Project: Africa are in with a shot.
Of course other teams could steal the day, but most others will be looking to limit losses for their GC guys more than anything else. In general, the CT teams (besides Jura) have also brought weaker TTT squads. Maybe those lacking GC guys will be looking to conserve energy for stage hunting later.
| FL | HI | ST | RS | RC | SP | AC | | Carsi | 70 | 55 | 66 | 69 | 73 | 80 | 82 | | Nizzolo | 72 | 63 | 68 | 65 | 69 | 79 | 77 | | Liepins | 73 | 66 | 73 | 68 | 77 | 78 | 79 | | Aregger | 73 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 77 | 78 | 77 | | Altanzul | 72 | 69 | 68 | 73 | 78 | 78 | 75 | | Zhao | 74 | 65 | 68 | 74 | 74 | 77 | 81 | | Eislers | 74 | 72 | 71 | 68 | 74 | 76 | 75 | | Grosser | 70 | 74 | 74 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 75 | | McEvoy | 69 | 75 | 74 | 69 | 69 | 74 | 78 |
It's a very weak sprint field for a PCT race with multiple sprint opportunities. It's not super surprising given the C1 rating, stage 2's bumpiness, and the need to bring both climbers and time trialists, but it's still eye catching to see such a spread of ability in a sprint field.
Carsi is the fastest pure sprinter on paper, though stage 2 in particular may be too difficult for him. Nizzolo is in a similar spot, but with a much slower acceleration. He's the only guy with a real leadout man in Altanzul though. But especially given Nizzolo's lack of resistance, is that task a blessing or a curse?
Liepins and Zhao have great kicks, but Marcel Aregger may be the wildcard favorite here. His TT/PRL ability let Jura sneak him into their already stacked lineup here, and he easily has the best climbing legs and engine of the top sprinters here. With the home crowd cheering him on, he will be extra motivated.
Guys lower on the list are puncheur hybrids who have a rare chance to take a stage if they can manage to make stage 2 tough enough - or maybe even if they don't. There just aren't many sprinters here, so if you get good legs and take the right wheel, you can overcome a lack of top speed.
Startlist
Spoiler | Gunman | Taylor | Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | | Diaz | Daniel Ricardo | Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | | Phelan | Adam | Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | | Costagli | Teodoro | Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | | Shalunov | Evgeny | Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | | Vink | Michael | Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | | Reddish | Nick | Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | | Horvat | Ziga | Air New Zealand p/b Pirelli | | Haig | Jack | Amaysim Cervélo | | Durbridge | Luke | Amaysim Cervélo | | Power | Robert | Amaysim Cervélo | | O'Connor | Ben | Amaysim Cervélo | | Lane | Patrick | Amaysim Cervélo | | Harper | Chris | Amaysim Cervélo | | Wohler | Alex | Amaysim Cervélo | | Gillett | Rhys | Amaysim Cervélo | | Aular | Orluis | Binance | | Salinas | Jonathan | Binance | | Bartl | David | Binance | | Goncalves | Gaspar | Binance | | Kaczmarek | Jakub | Binance | | Antunes | Amaro | Binance | | Benito | Miguel Angel | Binance | | Ikibe | Sota | Binance | | Nizzolo | Giacomo | BNZ-Superhero Racing | | Schleck | Jordan | BNZ-Superhero Racing | | Erdenebat | Bilguunjargal | BNZ-Superhero Racing | | Altanzul | Maani | BNZ-Superhero Racing | | Roe | Timothy | BNZ-Superhero Racing | | Miller | Nick | BNZ-Superhero Racing | | Batmunkh | Maral-Erdene | BNZ-Superhero Racing | | Van den Berg | Lars | BNZ-Superhero Racing | | Bonnamour | Franck | Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | | Kanepejs | Deins | Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | | Pedrero | Antonio | Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | | Molard | Rudy | Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | | La Lavandier | Mathieu | Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | | Bonnin | Thomas | Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | | Touze | Damien | Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | | Kangert | Tanel | Bonduelle - Eesti Energia | | Iturria | Mikel | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | | Wackermann | Luca | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | | Doubey | Fabien | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | | Bizkarra | Mikel | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | | Armirail | Bruno | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | | Mottin | Hugues | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | | Puccioni | Dario | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | | Berthet | Clement | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | | Brändle | Matthias | BWT Hyundai N Cycling | | Kozhatayev | Bakhtiyar | BWT Hyundai N Cycling | | Pernsteiner | Hermann | BWT Hyundai N Cycling | | Ahmad Zamri | Muhamma Afif | BWT Hyundai N Cycling | | Tusveld | Martijn | BWT Hyundai N Cycling | | Vine | Jay | BWT Hyundai N Cycling | | Tzortzakis | Polychronis | BWT Hyundai N Cycling | | Kolev | Yoan | BWT Hyundai N Cycling | | Carapaz | Richard Antonio | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | | Carsi | Mustafa | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | | Kung | Stefan | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | | Liepins | Emils | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | | Hagen | Carl Fredrik | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | | Bardet | Romain | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | | Manfredi | Andrea | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | | Kielich | Timo | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | | Stüssi | Colin | Jura GIANTS | | Masnada | Fausto | Jura GIANTS | | Mäder | Gino | Jura GIANTS | | Aregger | Marcel | Jura GIANTS | | Rekita | Szymon | Jura GIANTS | | Basso | Leonardo | Jura GIANTS | | Marchewka | Krzysztof | Jura GIANTS | | Rowsell | Erick | Jura GIANTS | | Ranaweera | Suranga | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Boily | David | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Koch | Michel | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Nerz | Dominik | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Ludvigsson | Tobias | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Helme | Sasu | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Mathis | Marco | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Vernon | Ethan | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Teuns | Dylan | Le Creuset | | McEvoy | Jonathan | Le Creuset | | Hamilton | Chris | Le Creuset | | Thiery | Cyrile | Le Creuset | | Berlin | Antoine | Le Creuset | | Louvel | Matis | Le Creuset | | Balmer | Alexandre | Le Creuset | | Kmieliauskas | Rokas | Le Creuset | | Sakalou | Andrei | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | | Frankovic | Mateo | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | | Petrovski | Stefan | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | | Ivanov | Borislav | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | | Piaskowy | Emanuel | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | | Archibald | John | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | | Fejes | Gabor | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | | Jabuka | David | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | | Penasa | Pierre Paolo | Philips - Force India | | Eenkhoorn | Pascal | Philips - Force India | | Xandri | Jan | Philips - Force India | | Dumoulin | Tom | Philips - Force India | | Henttala | Joonas | Philips - Force India | | Leemreize | Gijs | Philips - Force India | | Galvan Ramirez | Oscar Samuel | Philips - Force India | | Berhane | Natnael | Project: Africa | | Grmay | Tsgabu Gebremaryam | Project: Africa | | Janse van Rensburg | Reinhardt | Project: Africa | | Reguigui | Youcef | Project: Africa | | Kiflay | Metkel | Project: Africa | | Main | Kent | Project: Africa | | Kireva | Albert | Project: Africa | | Hamza | Faycal | Project: Africa | | Frankiny | Kilian | Sauber Petronas Racing | | Pomoshnikov | Sergei | Sauber Petronas Racing | | Campero | Piter | Sauber Petronas Racing | | Liphongyu | Nawuti | Sauber Petronas Racing | | Hibatullah | Jamal | Sauber Petronas Racing | | Mat Senan | Mohammad Saufi | Sauber Petronas Racing | | Chhetri | Ajay Pandit | Sauber Petronas Racing | | Anacona | Winner | Sauber Petronas Racing | | Hindley | Jai | Staffbase - BHP | | Grosser | Aaron | Staffbase - BHP | | Wohrer | David | Staffbase - BHP | | Plapp | Luke | Staffbase - BHP | | Sunderland | Dylan | Staffbase - BHP | | Lipowitz | Florian | Staffbase - BHP | | Berwick | Sebastian | Staffbase - BHP | | Plowright | Jensen | Staffbase - BHP | | Sicard | Romain | Strava | | Gaday | Lucas Manuel | Strava | | Dall'Oste | Daniele | Strava | | Budenieks | Kristaps | Strava | | Tarvis | Peeter | Strava | | Maesen | William | Strava | | Lindeman | Bert-Jan | Strava | | Dyrnes | Kristian | Tafjord Kraft | | Paulus | Daniel | Tafjord Kraft | | Hoem | Bjorn Tore | Tafjord Kraft | | Blikra | Havard | Tafjord Kraft | | Ludvigsson | Fredrik | Tafjord Kraft | | Kaislavuo | Jesse | Tafjord Kraft | | Eislers | Sandis | Tafjord Kraft | | Haavardsholm | Ole | Tafjord Kraft | | Padun | Mark | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | | Rikunov | Petr | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | | Andriafenomananiaina | Zouzou | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | | Golovash | Oleksandr | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | | Budyak | Anatoliy | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | | Nitu | Adrian | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | | Christapopoulos | Pangiotis | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | | Parashchak | Yaroslav | Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska | | Garby | Marc Christian | Trans Looney Tunes | | Henao Montoya | Sergio Luis | Trans Looney Tunes | | Dyball | Benjamin | Trans looney Tunes | | Vanhoucke | Harm | Trans Looney Tunes | | Novikov | Nikita | Trans Looney Tunes | | Cuming | Michael | Trans Looney Tunes | | Sobrero | Matteo | Trans Looney Tunes | | Ghyselinck | Jan | Trans Looney Tunes | | Schlegel | Michal | Tryg - Gobik | | Zimmermann | Georg | Tryg - Gobik | | Frison | Frederik | Tryg - Gobik | | Omarsson | Ingvar | Tryg - Gobik | | Sleen | Torjus | Tryg - Gobik | | Iversen | Rasmus | Tryg - Gobik | | Nyoni | Similo | Tryg - Gobik | | Abolaji | Fatiu | Tryg - Gobik | | Shikai | Chen | Voyagin - Bird | | Zhao | Jingbiao | Voyagin - Bird | | Onodera | Rei | Voyagin - Bird | | Rajapakshage | Tushantha | Voyagin - Bird | | Zardini | Edoardo | Voyagin - Bird | | Plucinski | Leszek | Voyagin - Bird | | Yamamoto | Masaki | Voyagin - Bird | | Kawasaki | Miori | Voyagin - Bird | | Stannard | Robert | Xero Racing | | Habtemichael | Daniel | Xero Racing | | Fouche | James | Xero Racing | | Van Niekerk | Morne | Xero Racing | | Van Zyl | Johann | Xero Racing | | Vermeersch | Florian | Xero Racing | | Schomber | Nils | Xero Racing | | Young | Darren | Xero Racing | | Taaramäe | Rein | Zara - Irizar | | Conci | Nicola | Zara - Irizar | | Cosnefroy | Benoit | Zara - Irizar | | Soler | Marc | Zara - Irizar | | Castrillo | Jaime | Zara - Irizar | | Thomas | Benjamin | Zara - Irizar | | Keinath | Nico | Zara - Irizar | | Cardona | Julian | Zara - Irizar |
Edited by Ulrich Ulriksen on 07-01-2023 16:52
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 07-01-2023 17:30
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11819
Joined: 19-07-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Obviously a personal win goal for us and Haig. Actually his first key race of the season, as he just had two "bonus" races yet (where he delivered nice results). The TTT setup ain't great, but should be enough to limit the damage. So is our climbing setup, as the preview said.
Thanks for the preview, by the way. Definitely looking forward to how things go for Haig here!
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 07-01-2023 17:45
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11677
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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First race for Penasa this season. About time! Looking forward to see how he goes. The mountain support is moderate, not our strongest for sure. Dumoulin and Henttala had to be brought in for the TTT but Barta had to be kept home for RD reasons. TTT team is just about mediocre. Hoping the time losses are not too much on the first stage.
Thanks for the preview bbl 
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 07-01-2023 20:54
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4670
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Oof, that climber field is more stacked than I was hoping... But Quintana showed last year that even being an 82 climber doesn't grant you a Top 5 finish - so I'm hoping for Stüssi to do the opposite and actually get our Top 5 sponsor goal despite being a "weak" climber in that field. In an optimal world, we'd win the opening TTT with Stüssi keeping yellow as the mountains arrive, and somehow benefit from a potential bonus. But yeah, I guess it's more realistic to miss out on that sponsor goal once again ^^ Still, lack of support hopefully won't be an issue with both Masnada and Mäder present as well.
For Aregger, I'm pretty afraid he'll fall into the 4th sprinter trap here - fingers crossed he doesn't, at least stage 2 should suit him really well.
Thanks for the preview to bbl, and for keeping the season going to UU.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 07-01-2023 22:12
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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High hopes and expectations here.
We’ve got a team that should be fighting for the win on the opening TTT which would set-up the rest of the race well for us.
Taaramae hasn’t really had the chance to shine so far this season so this is about the best opportunity he’s had to show why we spent the money on him. He shouldn’t be losing too much time in the pure mountain stages and then he should be very competitive in the uphill TT.
Fingers crossed for a good race for us! Thank you for the great preview and looking forward to an exciting race
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 07-01-2023 22:14
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World Champion
Posts: 11395
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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First example of me doing race selections for 81MO Areruya and race planning for 81HI Areruya... pulled out of here to go to HC hilly races we were already at. Cool opportunity for Habtemichael though, should be the white jersey favourite I think and a stacked stacked field with some big names to prove himself against if he wants another Top 10 after he did so well in Portugal. And also a good TTT squad and maybe a chance for Stannard to have a free role. Looking forward to it, thanks for the preview bbl
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 08-01-2023 05:51
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
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I expect nothing more than some TV camera-time from the breakaways. |
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 08-01-2023 11:15
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 810
Joined: 05-10-2021
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Welp that race kind of shows my poor planning skills (even if, to be fair, it was my first time).
Should probably have ditched the TT and the GC no chances to go for more aggressive tries.
Sooo not too much to expect for us, try things should already be good. Maybe a good MTT also?
Good luck everyone! |
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 08-01-2023 16:16
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11819
Joined: 19-07-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Solid result, but kinda interesting that our best TT guys (including our GC rider) lost additional 3 seconds on the way to the line..
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 05:58
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 08-01-2023 17:59
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11677
Joined: 27-07-2015
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Time loss is manageable. That's all we could ask for from that stage really.
Congrats to LLS and thanks for the report Ulrich
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 08-01-2023 18:29
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
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21 seconds behind and 2nd among the CT teams ain't that bad really. The more alarming problem (though not fatal) is that Kozhatayev finished some seconds behind and he's the so called "insurance policy" here in case Brändle is in trouble.
Congrats to Zara for the win. Thanks for the report UU
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| DaveTwoBob |
Posted on 08-01-2023 19:30
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2433
Joined: 07-07-2013
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First outing for the Ranaweera and Nerz combo. Stage 4 should give me a good idea how they will go in ToA.
Thanks for the preview BBL & the report Ulrich.
Only 14 seconds down in the TTT is a manageable result. Good to see loan in Ethan Vernon and new boy Marco Mathis contributing.
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 08-01-2023 20:39
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4670
Joined: 29-09-2018
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Mixed feelings... 2nd is obviously a great result and another confirmation that this TTT setup works really well - they'll ride a couple more races together later on, so that raises expectations.
On the other hand, missing out on a home win plus leader jersey on home soil by just 2 seconds sucks. But we lost to the top favorites, and Taaramäe would've been out of reach in terms of GC anyway. And it's still 10 points already in the bag.
If we play it well tomorrow, Aregger could still have a shot at the leader jersey - it'd be a fantastic story in what is his final stage race on home soil at his peak...
Congrats to Zara, good to see the top favorites deliver in those TTTs! And thanks for the report to UU.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 08-01-2023 21:48
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Happy with the win and thanks for the congrats guys
Solid ride from the team and got the stage win and opening yellow jersey we wanted. The gaps to some of the other big favourites are very small in the scheme of things but at least they benefit us.
Taaramae in the best position of all GC riders right now so hopefully he is able to benefit from that in the days to come.
Thank you for the report UU!
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 09-01-2023 13:12
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1123
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After the horrible TTT, our race can finally start
Go Carsi/Liepins and Carapaz!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 09-01-2023 21:24
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Team Leader
Posts: 7297
Joined: 11-04-2012
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Good time for the team but why is Schleck last…why did our best climber finish dead last and almost 2 minutes behind the team…
My goal here now is to win a stage. At least that will kinda of salvage the race for us
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 09-01-2023 21:33
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4670
Joined: 29-09-2018
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Probably because he's one of the worst TTers in the DB? If a 78 TTer goes full throttle, I don't find it very surprising that a 53 gets dropped rather early on - the former ensured a decent time for your team, but for Schleck it'd have been better if your strongest TTer had been weaker. In an ideal world, the team would probably wait for their GC captain, but PCM doesn't embrace reality that much ^^
Btw, iirc the final km is uphill, so if a rider gets dropped earlier and is really empty, he can lose a lot of time there. Unfortunate for Schleck, but as you say he can still go for a stage win (or KoM jersey) - that was my strategy in the first 2 years as well, and it worked pretty well 
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 09-01-2023 22:22
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4670
Joined: 29-09-2018
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Just a couple of inches short of taking the leader jersey, that's two "almosts" in a row... It's obviously good to see that Aregger at least participated, but unfortunately his positioning wasn't the best and he just paid for that in the end.
Congrats to Carsi though, feels like the correct winner here. And thanks UU for the report.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 10-01-2023 01:44
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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No participation from us in the sprint which is all good given we didn’t really have a sprinter. More importantly, maintained the GC positions and good we shifted the jersey to Taaramäe in preparation for tomorrow.
The hilly nature of stage 3 means it’s probably the most dangerous for Taaramäe so our team will need to be in top form tomorrow!
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 10-01-2023 05:52
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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This was embarrassing - how can we get a good result now?
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