Tour of Luxembourg - Discussion
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Nemolito |
Posted on 28-02-2025 10:29
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Classics Specialist

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 Tour of Luxembourg (C2) - Preview 
Welcome to Luxembourg for a special race! It's the fifth edition in the history of this hilly stage race, but the last time we were here was in 2012. Back when life was easier, our backs didn't hurt this much, and young people still knew what a forum was. But enough nostalgia, clearly a former winner won't be back to win this race, so time for somebody new to be the new king in town. Or well, since we're in Luxembourg, it will be a Grand Duke. Let's have a look at the profile.
Interesting profile! We can see puncheurs with a real sprint and punch do well, but it could also be selective enough for the hybrids. A lot of puncheurs will be thinking they can do well here, so prepare for a list with over twenty names to have a look at most of the names that can do well here.
Nat. | Name | MO | HI | ST | RS | SP | AC |  | Eiking Odd Christian | 69 | 81 | 78 | 74 | 68 | 76 |  | Moscon Gianni | 73 | 80 | 76 | 77 | 60 | 73 |  | Waeytens Zico | 70 | 79 | 70 | 68 | 65 | 71 |  | Jensen Kristian Haugaard | 69 | 79 | 76 | 72 | 65 | 75 |  | Bystrom Sven Erik | 68 | 79 | 75 | 72 | 68 | 76 |  | Beltran Eduard Alexander | 76 | 78 | 68 | 67 | 63 | 71 |  | Koretzky Clement | 68 | 78 | 72 | 65 | 68 | 74 |  | Morin Emmanuel | 65 | 78 | 75 | 73 | 69 | 76 |  | Watson Calvin | 65 | 78 | 76 | 72 | 62 | 72 |  | Yates Joel | 65 | 78 | 77 | 74 | 62 | 69 |  | Guerreiro Ruben | 76 | 77 | 73 | 73 | 72 | 72 |  | Lyu Xianjing | 75 | 77 | 75 | 76 | 63 | 74 |  | Lafay Victor | 75 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 63 | 74 |  | Paulus Daniel | 74 | 77 | 71 | 68 | 62 | 71 |  | Mager Christian | 74 | 77 | 68 | 70 | 60 | 71 |  | Zordan Andrea | 73 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 65 | 74 |  | Serrano Gonzalo | 72 | 77 | 73 | 75 | 68 | 77 |  | Nikiema Bachirou | 70 | 77 | 72 | 74 | 70 | 76 |  | Lopez Juan Pedro | 78 | 76 | 71 | 72 | 60 | 78 |  | Seibeb Costa | 75 | 76 | 70 | 69 | 61 | 73 |  | Korosec Rok | 68 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 75 | 78 |  | Hermans Quinten | 66 | 75 | 75 | 77 | 69 | 76 |  | Pacher Quentin | 71 | 75 | 73 | 74 | 70 | 73 |
Purely looking at this table Eiking is the favourite, but also purely looking at this table, is he really? One of his main competitors is Moscon, and as always the Italian from Cervelo brings his hilly squad to assist him, or possibly enjoy some freedom if everyone else looks at their leader.
Jensen and Bystrom are two 79 rated competitors who are very much alike, not the best or worst climbers in the world and also not the best or worst sprint and acceleration at the finish line; but in general they should be able to compete for the podium or more.
Out of the 78 rated puncheurs only Beltran can really be classified as a climbing hybrid, but his old age also means he no longer has the best physical capacities of the bunch. Apart from the domestiques in this group, Yates is Spark's second card to play, and Koretzky will be looking to take down the former Gjensidige leader again.
Guerreiro then as an interesting 77 puncheur with both climbing and sprinting skills, a versatility that could prove useful in Luxembourg. Lyu, Lafay and Paulus also decent climbing hybrids at the startline, with Seibeb as a 75 puncheur but also a decent hybrid hoping to score for Tryg. Lopez obviously an interesting names as well as not only a strong climber but also known for his great acceleration.
Nikiema is one of the guys who wouldn't mind going to the several finish lines with a select group, as he knows how to finish a race in a sprint, and when looking at slightly weaker puncheurs this is also the case for Hermans, Pacher and definitely Korosec.
There is one flat stage with quite some bumps, apart from the last mentioned names let's have a look at the sprinters aiming to score there.
Nat. | Name | MO | HI | ST | RS | SP | AC |  | Riabushenko Aliaksandr | 63 | 68 | 71 | 74 | 79 | 77 |  | Altanzul Maani | 65 | 69 | 68 | 73 | 78 | 75 |  | Bertilsson Christian | 53 | 68 | 70 | 69 | 78 | 75 |  | Barbier Rudy | 50 | 67 | 72 | 71 | 77 | 79 |  | Berger Hakon Frengstad | 60 | 65 | 72 | 68 | 77 | 77 |  | Silvestre Fabio | 58 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 77 | 76 |  | Reinhardt Theo | 54 | 64 | 68 | 61 | 76 | 79 |  | Darbinyan Varsham | 58 | 66 | 72 | 71 | 76 | 74 |  | Korosec Rok | 68 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 75 | 78 |  | Grosser Aaron | 64 | 74 | 74 | 72 | 75 | 75 |  | Olei Federico | 66 | 73 | 73 | 71 | 75 | 75 |  | Consonni Simone | 58 | 69 | 71 | 76 | 75 | 75 |
Riabushenko and Barbier the best sprinters on average but definitely the Frenchman absolutely hates going up and down. Slightly weaker sprinters but consisting out of a decent punch are previously named Korosec, but also Grosser and Olei.
Good luck to all, startlist in the spoiler.
Spoiler  Lilovski Dobrin
 Petilli Simone
 Insausti Jon Ander
 Gaze Samuel
 Reddish Nick
 Piganzoli Davide
 Brown Connor
 Burnett Josh
 Riabushenko Aliaksandr
 Gaspar Joao
 Ryuki Uga
 McGill Scott
 Paulus Milan
 Koide Itsuki
 Singh Yanglem Rojit
 Todome Yuhi
 Vliegen Loic
 Olei Federico
 Onley Oscar
 Borg Luke
 Klyver Hjalmar
 Ruvalcaba Reyes Davide
 De Marigny-Lagesse Llucie
 Moiruri Moses
 Moscon Gianni
 Zordan Andrea
 Waeytens Zico
 McCormick Hayden
 Grosser Aaron
 Watson Calvin
 Boily David
 Pickrell Riley
 Lyu Xianjing
 Van Lerberghe Bert
 Hermans Quinten
 Roosen Timo
 Dewulf Stan
 Noppe Christophe
 Brenner Marco
 Shen Yutao
 Paulus Daniel
 Le Gac Olivier
 Pithie Laurence
 Costiou Ewen
 Berhe Welay Hagos
 Lund Andresen Tobias
 Baudin Alex
 Belohvosciks Kristians
 Bystrom Sven Erik
 Vendrame Andrea
 Hamilton Chris
 Schönberger Sebastian
 Goncalves Gaspar
 Khederi Souheil
 Keizer Martijn
 Serrano Gonzalo
 Quevedo Xavier
 Barcelo Fernando
 Garcia Jhojan
 Scheit Florian
 Sinkeldam Ramon
 Acosta Ruben
 Adriamihajanarivo Herizo
 Lafay Victor
 Darbinyan Varsham
 Pacher Quentin
 Doubey Fabien
 Armirail Bruno
 Erdenesuren Munkhtulga
 Gougeard Alexis
 Jensen Kristian Haugaard
 Robov Momchil
 Hagen Carl Fredrik
 Tratnik Jan
 Stoenchev Valentin
 Evangelos Sarris
 Klahan Noppachai
 Sillankorva Jaakko
 Barbier Rudy
 Koretzky Clement
 Consonni Simone
 Skjerping Kristoffer
 Lunder Eirik
 Della Lunga Francesco
 Bourgoyne Lucas
 Madsen Erik Nygaard
 Eiking Odd Christian
 Morin Emmanuel
 Carr Simon
 Aebi Antoine
 Martinelli Alessio
 Artz Huub
 Foldager Anders
 Arrieta Igor
 Lopez Juan Pedro
 Mengoulas Alex
 Van Garderen Tejay
 Abreu Jorge
 Ivanov Viacheslav
 Wallinder Willhelm
 Nikiema Bachirou
 Laas Martin
 Smit Willie
 Aru Fabio
 Granigan Noah
 Mundle Benedikt
 Moutsios Martinos
 De Comarmond Aurelien
 Svab Jernej
 Beltran Eduard Alexander
 Yates Joel
 Duchesne Antoine
 Karatsivis Panagiotis
 Diaz Suarez Andy Alihonay
 Huera Richard
 Thompson Reuben
 Ludvigsson Fredrik
 Berger Hakon Frengstad
 Kaislavuo Jesse
 Bertilsson Christian
 Nielsen Joanis Albert
 Breen Vegard
 Wandahl Frederik
 Eiriksson Eipor
 Guerreiro Ruben
 Mager Christian
 Goossens Kobe
 Lehtinen Sakari
 Reinhardt Theo
 Stalberg Albin
 Van Bekkum Darren
 Andersen Kasper
 Korosec Rok
 Govekar Matevz
 Pibernik Luka
 Glivar Gal
 Murn Bostjan
 Kunkumpai Kantaphon
 Tulett Ben
 Quaade Rasmus
 Seibeb Costa
 Silvestre Fabio
 Broxham Ricardo
 Enggaard Victor Grue
 Pedersen Rasmus Sojberg
 Van De Paar Jarne
 Malmberg Matias
 Holm Jorgensen Adam
 Bartl David
 Altanzul Maani
 Buratti Nicolo
 Zahiri Abderrahim
 Ballerstedt Maurice
 Alajmi Abdulhadi
 Vinokurov Nicolas
 Albalooshi Khalid
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jt1109 |
Posted on 28-02-2025 10:42
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Classics Specialist

Posts: 3297
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Think our best chance of a win has been overlooked here in McCormick this will suit him 100% though Korosec is going to take all the beating based on this year's race these courses aren't selective enough to create gaps but too selective for sprinters to survive so I make him a favoi
Edited by jt1109 on 28-02-2025 12:27
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Jakstar22 |
Posted on 28-02-2025 10:43
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Team Leader

Posts: 7347
Joined: 11-04-2012
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Hopefully Beltran and Yates can do something. Beltran has been in good form so should be able to achieve a high GC considering the route. He should be strong and able to do something. Yates is still not showing the potential or ability I thought he’d have but this race does suit him and could be a good one for him.
Going to be an exciting and interesting race for us and for everyone! Good luck to everyone and thanks for a great preview.
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ivaneurope |
Posted on 28-02-2025 11:38
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Classics Specialist

Posts: 2970
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This race will be an unknown for most managers as it hasn't been held for over a decade and therefore we don't have much of a knowledge based on previous results. So basically, the favourites will be on somewhat equal footing here.
Here's hoping for KHJ to do his magic as he's been absent lately and our fortunes took a dent after Vancouver where the expectation and reality were too far apart.
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Ollfardh |
Posted on 28-02-2025 12:16
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World Champion

Posts: 14762
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Waeytens and Moscon? Popcorn time!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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Imladrik |
Posted on 28-02-2025 12:35
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Breakaway Specialist

Posts: 921
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We have a decent squad I think, but the startlist should allow us to be offensive. Let's see what comes!
“...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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seancoll |
Posted on 28-02-2025 13:51
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Domestique

Posts: 554
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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Excited to bring this race to everyone - looking to be some very exciting battles!
Expect late Saturday for stage 1 and a lovely battle across the four hilly stages!
No predictions from my end... except that we should be excited to see this race return.
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kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 01-03-2025 07:55
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Protected Rider

Posts: 1349
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Thanks for the preview, Nemo! And thanks to sean for covering (and already teasering) the race!
We're here with Paulus for the GC, Le Gac for his support and a bunch of youngsters for the breaks. Maybe we'll see some nice surprise from Pithie or Costiou?
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Ad Bot |
Posted on 02-04-2025 06:29
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hillis91 |
Posted on 01-03-2025 10:11
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Team Leader

Posts: 5922
Joined: 30-11-2006
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Cheers for the preview Nemolito
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Bjartne |
Posted on 01-03-2025 11:20
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Classics Specialist

Posts: 2982
Joined: 15-07-2007
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We're going all in on the 1 sprinter stage here 
Thanks alot Nemo!  |
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Caspi |
Posted on 01-03-2025 16:45
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Domestique

Posts: 474
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Not sure what to expect from this race?
Love the pre-hype from seancoll though, especially after Nemo reminded me of the increasing back pain
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jt1109 |
Posted on 01-03-2025 19:20
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Classics Specialist

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Not 100% sure those time gaps are correct might be an issue with the time gaps in the stages there |
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Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 01-03-2025 22:48
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Directeur Sportif

Posts: 3459
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jt1109 wrote:
Not 100% sure those time gaps are correct might be an issue with the time gaps in the stages there
Yes, the time gaps were set to 0 which is an error. Will be fixed for next year, other stages should be OK.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling
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Jakstar22 |
Posted on 02-03-2025 00:01
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Team Leader

Posts: 7347
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Beltran up there which is good. Not far off the front so should be able to move up in GC before the end of the race. Thompson is a very nice surprise in the same group as Beltran. He’s our Young rider hope so would be nice to see him finish up high in the white jersey.
Congrats to the winner and great report! Keen for stage 2
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kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 02-03-2025 07:11
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Protected Rider

Posts: 1349
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Congrats to hillis for a great win! Our first stage was abysmal, at least the entire team should have lost enough time to get some leeway for breakaeay appearances ...
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hillis91 |
Posted on 02-03-2025 10:35
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Team Leader

Posts: 5922
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Wow, did not expect that! We'll take it. Let's find out if our squad is strong enough to controll that leaders jersey though.
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Imladrik |
Posted on 02-03-2025 11:39
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Breakaway Specialist

Posts: 921
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OK start, but I'm not sure making Pacher our leader is the best decision. Time will tell.
Thanks for the 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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Mresuperstar |
Posted on 02-03-2025 18:42
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Grand Tour Champion

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Nice ride from Mengoulas, and congrats to our former rider Olei on picking up the surprise win!
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Bjartne |
Posted on 02-03-2025 21:46
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Classics Specialist

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Quite a weird race so far, especially as it looks like there has been a long TT, due to the gaps in the GC now 
Thank you seancoll for reporting this. Really exciting reports!
Should be some fun next stages!  |
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Jakstar22 |
Posted on 03-03-2025 00:18
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Team Leader

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Man these time gaps are annoying! Beltran further back now. I hope the hills cause enough separation and that he is at the front of the pack to make some time up. We need a high GC to make this race worth it points wise.
Congrats to the winner and thanks for the report
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