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Volta a Catalunya Discussion
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 28-10-2023 00:24
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3259
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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 Volta a Catalunya
The Volta a Catalunya has been an almost ever-present on the man game calendar making this its 16th editing (2017 was skipped). It has moved down the divisions more recently meaning riders of the quality of two-time winners Contador and Uran are not competing here anymore. However it is still a vital stop for the CT teams and it marks the 2nd round in the CT GC battle.  Chiarello took round 1 in Venezuela, his rivals will try to strike back here in Spain.
The course is unchanged from last year and the race will likely be decided by the TTT on Stage 3 and the mountain climbing on Stages 4 and 6, although the GC favorites will need to be attentive on the hilly stages (1 and 5) as well.
With the relative influence of the hilly and mountain stages unknown and the presence of a 40k TTT stage the exact qualities to win are a little unclear. But the winner should come from this group:
| Rider | FL | MT | HI | RS | RC |  Berhane | 67 | 80 | 74 | 72 | 71 |  Munoz | 66 | 79 | 73 | 72 | 74 | | Chiarello | 71 | 79 | 75 | 74 | 77 |  Garby | 65 | 79 | 70 | 76 | 75 |  Fabbro | 65 | 78 | 75 | 72 | 74 | | Ablenado | 67 | 78 | 67 | 77 | 77 |  Lunke | 69 | 78 | 72 | 74 | 78 |  Alarcon | 63 | 78 | 67 | 65 | 64 |  Manfredi | 69 | 78 | 65 | 73 | 72 |  Mannion | 68 | 77 | 71 | 76 | 65 |  Iturria | 71 | 77 | 73 | 74 | 76 |  Keizer | 68 | 77 | 67 | 73 | 70 |  Potocki | 68 | 77 | 72 | 71 | 75 |  O'Connor | 70 | 77 | 70 | 72 | 75 |  Ciccone | 67 | 77 | 73 | 70 | 73 | | Kritskiy | 68 | 77 | 68 | 66 | 64 |  Roglic | 68 | 77 | 73 | 71 | 70 | | Hoem | 67 | 77 | 72 | 69 | 74 |  Elosegui | 65 | 77 | 71 | 80 | 83 |  Verschaeve | 67 | 76 | 73 | 75 | 75 |  Paret-Peintre | 72 | 76 | 77 | 75 | 73 |  Barta | 69 | 76 | 72 | 74 | 70 | | Squire | 67 | 76 | 76 | 68 | 74 |
Berhane looks a top favorite in terms of mountain climbing skills while Chiarello and Fabbro combine strong climbing with solid skills on the punchier climbs, which might be important on stages 1 and 5. Many of the top climbers will be weak on those stages with Ablenado,, Alarcon, and Manfredi all looking exposed. Lunke isn’t great on the hills but he has some of the strongest energy stats. All rounders like Paret-Peintre and Squire will look to make up time on the hilly stages to cover for any losses in the mountains.
But to succeed in the GC, riders will also need a strong performance in the Stage 3 Time Trial. Last year’s winner Fausto Masnada relied on a strong TTT to launch him to victory.
The TTT team strengths:
| All | Top 5 | Top 3 | | SEE Turtles | 71.3 | 74.6 | 75.0 | | Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren | 70.8 | 73.6 | 74.7 | | Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team | 70.5 | 75.0 | 76.7 | | Podium Ambition | 70.1 | 73.8 | 76.0 | | Crabbe-CC Chevigny | 69.8 | 71.2 | 72.7 | | Team Würth MODYF | 69.6 | 72.8 | 75.3 | | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | 69.1 | 72.8 | 74.3 | | Manada Coyote | 67.8 | 69.0 | 70.3 | | JEWA TIROL | 67.5 | 70.4 | 73.0 | | Sony - Force India | 67.4 | 70.8 | 71.7 | | Hilcona Racing Team | 67.1 | 69.0 | 71.3 | | Tafjord Kraft | 67.1 | 71.4 | 74.0 | | Caja Rural Cycling Team | 66.5 | 69.2 | 71.3 | | Lampre - Pinarello | 65.8 | 67.8 | 69.7 | | Stela-Vita | 65.8 | 69.4 | 72.0 | | Ekoi - Le Creuset | 64.8 | 68.0 | 69.3 | | Air New Zealand-Alfa Romeo | 64.6 | 68.4 | 69.7 | | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | 64.1 | 66.4 | 68.3 | | Adidas - Eurocash | 63.5 | 65.6 | 67.0 | | Strava | 62.8 | 64.2 | 66.3 | | Babymetal Cycling | 62.4 | 65.0 | 67.3 | | Saeco | 60.8 | 62.8 | 66.0 |
Four teams are a step above the rest in the TTT: SEE Turtles, Bordeaux, Gjensidige and Podium Ambition. The Turtles are the deepest team and their leader, Alarcon, should be in good shape going into the mountains if he survives Stage 1. Podium Ambition also have an excellent all-round team and will hope to put their GC riders, O'Connor and Canty, in a strong position.
Gjensidige aren’t as deep as SEE turtles but have the best top end TT riders and the best overall contender (Lunke) among the top TTT teams. While Bordeaux and Iturria may not expect a GC win they will hope that the combination of Iturria’s well-rounded skill set and a solid TTT will be enough to challenge for a podium.
Below these 4 there are a lot of teams with mixed skills. Crabbe and JEWA will hope they are strong enough to keep their GC leaders in the conversation. Team Würth and PCT-outfit Genii Hyundai both have strong top end TT riders but lack depth, which might hurt over 40k.
For the TTT to matter the GC contenders will need to avoid losses on the hilly stages. These will also provide a chance for stage glory for some of punchy riders on the start list. The punchier riders include:
| Rider | FL | HI | SP | AC | RS |  Jensen | 71 | 80 | 66 | 76 | 73 | | Vogt | 73 | 80 | 62 | 63 | 71 | | Dyrnes | 68 | 78 | 65 | 77 | 73 | | Hugentobler | 70 | 78 | 56 | 76 | 69 | | Watson | 70 | 78 | 62 | 72 | 72 | | Paret-Peintre | 72 | 77 | 72 | 74 | 75 | | Lafay | 66 | 77 | 63 | 74 | 72 | | Mager | 70 | 77 | 60 | 71 | 70 | | Serrano | 69 | 77 | 68 | 77 | 75 | | Mayer | 68 | 77 | 72 | 77 | 72 | | Barbin | 68 | 77 | 70 | 75 | 72 | | Sirironnachai | 71 | 77 | 64 | 73 | 74 |
Jensen is the pick of this litter and he will want his team to put the pressure on in the hilly stages. Vogt is strong in the hills but wears down easily and has very poor finishing skills. Dyrnes and Hugentobler seem like more likely contenders or perhaps Mayer, who is the fastest sprinter among these. Paret-Peintre is also a fast finisher and should be fighting for the stage victory on Stage 1, but on Stage 5 look for the puncheurs who have lost time to win from the break, while Paret-Peintre will likely be protecting his GC ambitions in the peloton.
Finally there is 1 stage for the sprinters. Given the limited opportunities the field isn’t strong. Boudat and Sanikwathi are the best on paper. JEWA will be focused on Berhane for the overall so Boudat will need to go it alone. Caja Rural won this stage last year with Guardini but they don’t send a sprinter this time.
| Rider | FL | SP | AC | RS | | Boudat | 73 | 79 | 78 | 74 | | Sanikwathi | 72 | 78 | 78 | 67 | | Altanzul | 72 | 78 | 75 | 73 | | Bauhaus | 74 | 78 | 75 | 65 | | Aregger | 72 | 77 | 75 | 69 | | Thwaites | 72 | 77 | 74 | 68 | | Russo | 73 | 76 | 78 | 73 | | Oka | 73 | 76 | 76 | 72 | | Itami | 71 | 76 | 76 | 61 |
Startlist
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| seancoll |
Posted on 28-10-2023 03:26
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Domestique
Posts: 480
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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Oh I do not like that Oka is listed as our leader. That's not good!
Looking forward to a strong TTT though and hoping either for a good GC result to push Alarcon and Squire into good position or to drop them and push along for a TTT victory.
A Stage or GC focus would be a fine result for us. Don't care which, but it better not be neither.
for others, Chiarello might be my pick for the GC. Just the right combination I think to hold strong after his Tachira win.
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 28-10-2023 07:58
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1122
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Happy to see that our TTT line-up isn’t that bad. Hope we can limit our losses there and then all out in the mountain stages.
Thanks for the excellent preview UU! 
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 28-10-2023 09:03
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 808
Joined: 05-10-2021
PCM$: 600.00
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Here we go!
Last year we were kicked out of the top 10 due to a very poor last stage. Let's hope that won't be the case this year, and that the support of Lafay, Weinstein and Armirail will be enough in the mountains.
Top 5 is the goal, but podium with some stage results (on S1 and 3 especially) would be nice.
Thanks for the preview, good luck to all!
“...the secret of the Great Stories is that they have no secrets. The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again. The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably."
A. Roy
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Posted on 21-11-2024 23:40
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 28-10-2023 14:53
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1119
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Thanks for the preview Ulrich! This should be a very interesting race in general with the mixture of mountain and hill stages and the TTT (though my team could have done without the last one  ). Not sure APP can fight for a top position in GC given the amount of time he'll lose in the TTT, but with him and Russo (and maybe another surprise rider) a stage win should be within reach.
Best of luck to all of you!
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 28-10-2023 16:15
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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New stage of expectation - i would just like to not flop! 40km TTT with O'Connor and Canty should get them around the Top10, and top 3 on the stage itself. Meyer a wildcard option on the hillier days. Bases covered, let's just not flop.
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| Blasing |
Posted on 28-10-2023 18:43
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 278
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Again I am afraid of the time trial, but at least it is a TTT. Here's hoping for a GC win!
Manager of JEWA TIROL Cycling Team
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 28-10-2023 22:59
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
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Thank you very much Ulrick, wonderful preview!
Very excited to see Garby in action for the first time in our jersey. A podium would be realistic if not for the 40km TTT, but we're hoping for a top 10 |
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| seancoll |
Posted on 29-10-2023 04:40
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Domestique
Posts: 480
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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Not a terrible stage 1 for the SEE Turtles! Sad to see Reguigui and Alarcon dropped, but I think this actually benefits us in the TTT as we should be comfortable leaving Alarcon and support Squire. Maybe Alarcon will even attempt a stage 6 breakaway.
Abreu and Squire staying in the front group should be good and excited to see Oka and Kelly make that group as well. A good sign for the rest of the year if Oka can make those splits.
Surprising to see as many potential GC leaders struggle though. Will be an interesting battle. Congrats Manada Coyote on a great opening stage!
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 29-10-2023 10:11
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
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Oh maaaaaaan, what a disgrace of a stage, the fight for GC is already over and we need Dyrnes to really perform in stage 5.
Congrats to the coyotees! |
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 29-10-2023 13:07
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 808
Joined: 05-10-2021
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Not too comfy to see Iturria at the back of his group, but he made it with them and that's good. Quiet stage, no work, it's all good to me. We'll need all the stamina we can have for the last four stages.
Congrats to the winner, and thank your Ulrich for the thrilling report!
“...the secret of the Great Stories is that they have no secrets. The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again. The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably."
A. Roy
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 29-10-2023 20:35
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1119
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Congratulations to the Coyotes, it's nice to see the wins spread all over the division. Also good to see TMM finally living up to his team's name with Mayer.
4th place is a bit disappointing regarding APPs sprint abilities, but getting a substantial gap to all other GC contenders is of course a good outcome, though a realistic look on his chances will only be possible after knowing his time loss in the TTT. Nonetheless it's just fun to read of his attacks in nearly every hilly or mountain stage / race he's in.
Russo should be our man for stage 2 and he could actually have a good chance if the stage is ridden hard as there seem to be some short elevations according to the profile.
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 30-10-2023 06:43
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
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Great to see Hayter and Van Dijke being so active in the first two stages. Was hoping our three pronged sub-top leadership could be competitive but doesn't look like that'll happen. Still, has been interesting for us so far.
Congrats to the winners so far and thanks for the reports Ulrich
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 30-10-2023 08:17
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
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Awesome to see Jensen get another win! He was a fun rider to have as part of our team a few seasons ago, it’s great to see him show his attacking prowess and strength for Manada
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 30-10-2023 11:09
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Protected Rider
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Congrats to Manada and Strava with their victories. Surprised to see Altanzul contribute in the two first stages and even in the leader jersey
Now the real tour kicks off with the TTT. Glad Chiarello didn't lose any time like Tafjord's climbers.
Thanks for the reports!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 30-10-2023 12:10
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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Meyer's off to a good start, O'Connor less so. Not a flop, not exactly great. Onto the TTT, and probably we somehow finish 4th and drop O'Connor.
Fun opening two stages overall, and good reporting!
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 30-10-2023 12:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
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Solid couple of stages for us. Would have loved a win for Scotty but will take a second place for sure! Our TTT isn't as bad as I thought it would be compared to the rest of the field, but I doubt that we will see Potocki close to the top 10 GC at this point in time. Thanks for the reports so far!
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 31-10-2023 00:10
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
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As a PCT team Lampre couldn’t bring their A squad, they are 10th 25 seconds down at the first check.
TBH I don't think our A Squad would have done much more 
Congrats on an expected win for Gjensidige!
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| seancoll |
Posted on 31-10-2023 00:40
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Domestique
Posts: 480
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I don't even know what to say. Thrilled at my best result of the season and absolutely crushed by how far back my former likely GC contenders are.
We'll certainly take the strong TT, but Alarcon and Squire better attempt to get in the break. No reason for them to come here having lost 5+ minutes today if they don't even make an effort on the climbs. Reguigui could potentially still score us some GC points, but hopefully he stays better protected than in HK.
Congrats to Gjensidige for the win and thank you Ulrich for the reports!
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 31-10-2023 07:31
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
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TTT went mostly as expected with us somewhere in mid table.
Congrats to hillis and thanks for the report Ulrich
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
