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Olympia's Tour - the discussion thread
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 19-01-2024 19:28
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Classics Specialist
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 Olympia's Tour
Since 2011, for 6 days across the Netherlands the MGUCI holds the Olympia's Tour. A race that is more suited for sprinters and TT specialists this year's race is no different from previous editions. The beginning is a 17km TT stage which from the get go will see the favorites appear. Then it's two stages for sprint specialists before a 18,4km TTT stage will test the teamwork skills and how teams have built their trains. After that there fould be another chance for sprinter glory, before a 8,3km short dash to the finish in the third and final battle against the clock. So, how the last year's race went on?
| 1 | Sean Downey | Glanbia | 13h36'42 | | 2 | Freddy Cruz | Glanbia | s.t. | | 3 | Krzysztof Marchewka | Jura GIANTS | + 6 | | 4 | Szymon Rekita | Jura GIANTS | + 7 | | 5 | Rasmus Sterobo | Oktal Pharma - TotalTV | + 23 | | 6 | Miles Scotson | Glanbia | + 25 | | 7 | Lawson Craddock | Glanbia | + 30 | | 8 | James Oram | Glanbia | + 32 | | 9 | Jordan Cheyne | Glanbia | + 36 | | 10 | Alex Frame | Glanbia | + 49 |
Glanbia ruled the roost last year with staggering 7 riders in Top 10, but unfortunately Jura GIANTS were there to (kinda) spoil the party and prevent them from a podium sweep. Well, both teams are now in the PCT division and while they had the opportunity to race there, they've chosen to prioritize other races instead and we will not see them. In fact, Freddy Cruz - the runner-up, and Alex Frame would be the only riders from last year's Top 10 that would return. But who are the favorites
Adidas-Eurocash come with a team that is pretty solid in prologues, but this would only work on the final stage. In the opening stage and in the TTT we can see them struggle a bit
Air New Zealand - Alfa Romeo
The team from New Zealand has taken a different approach - rather than going for GC glory, they will instead be gunning for a win on one of the 3 sprint oriented races.
By far one of the weakest squads in the race, Babymetal Cycling has decided to run a squad mainly consisting of youngsters. They also have the veteran Itami in their roster, but luck needs to be on his side for a top finish in a sprint stage
Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren
This is perhaps one of the more serious GC entries in this race. They have 4 decent TT specialist, but the downside is that Agirrebeitia and Guerao are below 70 TT and since this team is of only 6 members if either of the two falls behind, it could compromise their GC efforts. With Guerao the team is also gunning for sprint glory
This season hd not been kind to Caja Rural Cycling Team at all and this lineup is quite frankly not going to help the situation. Their only top TT specialist is the veteran Baloni, but the rest is average at best, mediocre at worst.
For a promotion candidate, you'd think that Crabbe-CC Chevigny would pick races where their skillset fits the best. But I'm not sure Olympia's Tour is a great fit. Maybe they hope for some ranking points in the sprint stages with Liepins as their main rider
Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team
Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team is another team with promotion aspirations and they've decided to bring the best they could at this races. Van Moer is by far one of the top favorites for the overall classification
Hilcona Cycling Team is perhaps the worst team when it comes to TTT setup - none of their riders have a TT stat over 70 and only Van Uden is barely over 65. Their hope lies in the sprint stages with the experienced duo of Yoeri Havik and Alexander Krieger
While their TTT setup isn't bad, it's not that great either. But if the circumstances are good and with strong performance in the sprint stages, JEWA TIROL may have a chance to fight for the GC
Obviously, TT and Sprints aren't really the strongest side for Manada Coyote this season. Which is a shame since last season they had arguably the best sprinter in PCT in Ahlstrand. They do have Marin, but he needs to be lucky and his support train to align correctly if he wants a stage win.
Podium Ambition is perhaps the next big challenger for the GC standings. They possess a much stronger TTT lineup than Gjensidige and have a equally stong rider in both TT and sprints in Hennis.
We've previously mentioned Hilcona having the worst TTT setup...until Saeco that is. Of their 6-man roster only Skivild is above 65 and Blanca Pareja is the other rider above 60. Their best bet for top finish in a stage is from McLay.
Well, well - the TTT battle has become a 3-way with SEE Turtles entering the fray. And I have to say they have the most balanced lineup of the 3 top TTT teams. Hopefully Ganjkhanlou doesn't fall behind early on, but even if he does it wouldn't be that much of a loss for the team during the TTT stage
One of the MGUCI veteran teams - Tafjord-Kraft, have sent a decent-ish TT lineup, but IMO in the TTT are inferior compared to other teams. It doesn't help the fact that they've sent 6 riders rather than 8. Looks like Waersted's efforts will be prioritized
Rounding off the team presentation is Team Würth MODYF. And I doubt they'd be in the GC hunt with the subpar TTT train. Looks like like others they've decided to concentrate on the 3 sprint stages with Minali as their top pick
And that's the presentation thread for Olympia's Tour. Apologies if the reports are delayed or janky as we at IESN are still setting up our production booth and we hadn't done race reports before. Thank you for your understanding
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| seancoll |
Posted on 19-01-2024 21:28
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Domestique
Posts: 480
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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Thanks for love and such a fantastic preview. Extremely detailed and I'm sure my opinion of it does increase a bit with my own goals here. Welcome to the reporting scene and thanks for helping bring this one to us.
I wish I could've brought my absolutely best TT line-up, but I just needed the racedays for Vermaerke and Ganjkhanlou who I couldn't afford to miss any opportunities with for xp purposes. Still, I think we'll see 6 strong riders across the line in the TTT. I like that Oka could surprise for a few bonus seconds somewhere in the sprint stages as well + my ability to bring back some seconds in the epilogue.
While I didn't plan my races as well as I should've, I'm glad this one snuck into my planning. If things go well, I think I could find 100points here which would be 1/2 of my current point total. Really need this to kickstart a resurgence for the 2nd half of the year.
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 19-01-2024 22:42
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Still love this race, but unfortunately it didn't make a lot of sense to come here with just Marchewka and Janssen as decent TTers. Maybe next year...
The GC battle should be really interesting here. From what I've seen so far this year, the TTT shouldn't yield huge gaps, so the ITTs will be more decisive. I think Van Moer should have the edge, with Gjensidige's TTT being at least OK, and him being 2+ points stronger than most competitors. However, if Tafjord can go a couple of seconds better in the TTT, Belevics could have the edge. Podium Ambition and the Turtles should fight for the TTT win, with the latter having the more balanced lineup as mentioned in the preview. If they can leave behind Gjensidige and Tafjord by 20+ seconds, they could have a shot at the GC win (unlikely given the short distance), otherwise they should at least fight for a podium spot.
Thanks for the preview, good luck to all participants - and for once there's no risk of a PCT team spoiling the party 
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 20-01-2024 08:13
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Protected Rider
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Great preview Ivan! 
I’m hoping SEE and PA can score. Ofcourse Gjensidige is the big favourite with Van Moer. All the best guys!
If Liepins can score some minor points, we’ll be happy.
MG - Lotto - Caloi
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 20-01-2024 08:15
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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This'll be a fun race with a range of different set-ups vying for success. A couple of stage podiums would be great and hopefully a GC top 10 to keep up some good momentum. But you can never rely on anything in flat races.
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 20-01-2024 09:11
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
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Bah....we unfortunately couldnt manage to send more than 6, and that might bite us.
Very unbalanced squad set up, but no super favourite like Glanbia this year. Will be a really fun race.
Thank you ivaneruope for this amazing write up!!  |
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 23-01-2024 20:41
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
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Sorry for the delay, but the report for the 1st stage is online. I'd also like to apologize if the presentation is a bit choppy, but I'm still taking 'baby steps' in the reporting job and don't expect 100% professional writeup.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 23-01-2024 20:58
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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Depth! Three Top10's again. Hopefully a few more of those and this can be a solid race.
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 23-01-2024 21:34
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Team Leader
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Great Preview, and report on the first stage.
Sure love the outcome, we actually won something 
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| seancoll |
Posted on 23-01-2024 22:10
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Domestique
Posts: 480
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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Excited to get started with this one and thanks for a great first report.
Hamza staying very close is ideal and its nice to see 6 Turtles in the Top 30 I believe. Going to be able to make some huge swings in the TTT against some teams with lesser riders or just not enough support.
Congrats to our leaders today!
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| Ezeefreak |
Posted on 24-01-2024 07:16
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Domestique
Posts: 555
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 300.00
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First, thanks for the preview and the report!
So after a long time the team management finally can be active again
Predatsch did well, we are really satisfied though we are still hoping for our first "real" victory of the season. But its a good start since this race isnt one of our main goals also. Lets see what next stage brings us.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 18:43
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 24-01-2024 10:45
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Classics Specialist
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Thank you Ivaneurope for a well written TT-report
We did as expected, happy with 2nd for Belevics and 2nd in Team ranking. Let's hope we can be "up there" throughot the race. We really need the points now.
Big congrats to Hillis and Gjensidige |
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| Blasing |
Posted on 24-01-2024 12:07
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 278
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Thanks for the report Ivan!
I don't know whether I can be happy about the first stage. Overall as a team we are not far off and we even got a good result with Malori. On the other hand Boudat lost a lot of time and he is one of the favourites for the sprint and prologue stages. I guess we won't be doing too well in the GC, so let's go stage hunting!
Manager of JEWA TIROL Cycling Team
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 24-01-2024 15:44
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Protected Rider
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Congrats hillis with the deserved win I'm curious how competitive the 6-man squad Tafjord Kraft will be in TTT. PA also with great depth.
Now hopefully some Liepins magic in the coming 2 stages
Thanks Ivan for the report!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 24-01-2024 21:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
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Wow, certainly didn't expect that by Waersted, very very appreciated!
Maybe this can be a good race for us after all, but as Laurens say, the TTT might be crucial for us.
Thank you once again ivan! |
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 26-01-2024 09:59
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 807
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Thanks for the nice preview and reports ivan!
S1 a bit disappointing, but not that much. Now we'll have to see what we can do in the TTT. The ITT was encouraging in that regard, but we have to keep Agirrebeitia with us. Sadly not enough RD to send Ituria with the team to have 5 competent TTists.
The epilogue might be a chance to have a bit better result too.
Guerao unable to have results in sprints now, but that was to be expected.
Good luck for the remaining stages!
“...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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| Bjartne |
Posted on 26-01-2024 10:26
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
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Waerstead suddenly rocking this race, very pleasently surprised by his two podiums so far. A green jersey here would be awesome.
Afraid of the TTT now, as I suspect we'll move down on GC somehow.
Really exciting race so far.
Thank you Ivan! |
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| Blasing |
Posted on 26-01-2024 10:27
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 278
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Another dissapointing sprint performance. Not even top 10 twice despite having a top 3 and a top 5 favourite 
Manager of JEWA TIROL Cycling Team
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 26-01-2024 22:30
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Directeur Sportif
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Congrats to Sean on the win, nice to see the Turtles come good in their target discipline and a chance for a Glanbia-like score.
Commiserations to Hillis on Gjensidige again struggling in the TTT. Looks like strong leaders can't carry a TTT team in this version.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 26-01-2024 22:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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Some larger gaps in that TTT that i'd expected, which is good for the Turtles. Lets see if we can hang onto a Top10 GC and maybe steal back the Teams with some luck. Still, shaping up for more solid scoring.
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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)
