EPIC - Season 1 Part 1
|
Dippofix |
Posted on 17-01-2014 20:10
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3906
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
I actually think that's a good idea *cough* O'Callaghan *cough*. And i assume somebody like Lue Khamphan just gets the jersey by default?
|
|
|
|
nacho63 |
Posted on 17-01-2014 20:24
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1944
Joined: 14-03-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Tour of Catalunya - Stage 5
Start
[img] [/img]
Welcome back to Catalunya! We past the mountains and have we another sprint stage that will be hotly contested, who will have the best legs after the last two days?
143k
10 kilometres into the race, a break form and they will be on their way, started off by Huzarski (TNE), 5 other riders join him, Cummings (BMC), Lastras (MOV), Velasco (CJR), Chaves (COL), Aru (AST).
120km
The break have 4 minutes on the peloton which is being controlled by Orica, Garmin and Saxo who all have stage win aspirations today.
Sprint
No sprint, the breakaway rolls over in their relay line. They have built up a 4'38" lead.
Cat.2 KoM1
No contested once again, Huzarski takes full points. The break has 5'10"
76km
Duggan (SAX) leads the peloton down the descent, the gap goes down to 4'43"
Sprint
Uncontested again, the break has a 2'58" gap.
40km - 2'15"
30km - 1'35"
20km
With 20km to get the break still has 1'09", it the peloton catch them, they're going to leave it late
9km
The peloton have the break in their sites who are just working as have been since the start of the stage and have a 50" lead, it isn't very organised at the front of the peloton, the riders are doing very short sharp turns in the front to try and bring them back
5km
The gap is down to 43 seconds, Orica spot an opportunity and bring their lead out to the front with 5km left, with only 2 men protecting Kruopis though it could be too soon.
3km
Huzarski (TNE), Chaves (COL), Cummings (BMC) jump the rest of the pack and have 39" to rest of peloton containing the other half of the former escapees. It's going to be close, how much energy have they got left?
Orica and Garmin lock heads 3km out too lead their men Kruopis and Stromberg out, Mezgec of Argos has decided to be in the mix for the first time. Green jersey wearer and 2 stage winnner Bennati (SAX) has some ground to make up.
2km
It's the end of the break, it's a valiant effort, Orica leadout has a massive lead now, Garmin are forcing it up 2 bike lengths back with Mezgec and Bennati on the wheel of Stromberg
1km
Kruopis launches his sprint, Stromberg also does just behind with Hofland (BEL), Gavazzi (AST), Mezgec and Bennati around him.
500m
Kruopis pays the price for being in the wind early and loses his lead and will need to dig deep to win now, Gavazzi, Stromberg, Mezgec and Bennati are coming through fast
200m
Kruopis still leads but he is going in slow mo, who will take the win?
Finish
Bennati takes it! He pips Mezgec and Stromberg on the line, great sprint from him who got himself in place without help and his timing and power was perfection today, disappointment for Orica and Argos who come so close. |
|
|
|
nacho63 |
Posted on 17-01-2014 20:34
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1944
Joined: 14-03-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Stage Results
Rank | Name | Team | Time | 1 | Daniele Bennati | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | 3h30'39 | 2 | Luka Mezgec | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | 3 | Nicklas Stromberg | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | 4 | Aidis Kruopis | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | 5 | Francesco Gavazzi | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | 6 | Jorge Cristobal Riquelme | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 7 | Andrea Palini | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | 8 | Fabio Aru | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | 9 | Geoffrey Soupe | FDJ.fr | s.t. | 10 | Andrew Fenn | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. |
Spoiler 11 | Moreno Hofland | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 12 | Davide Cimolai | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | 13 | Raymond Kreder | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | 14 | Francesco Lasca | Caja Rural - Seguros RGA | s.t. | 15 | Adam Blythe | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | 16 | Pablo Urtasun | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | 17 | Leonardo Duque | Colombia | s.t. | 18 | Kenny Van Hummel | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 19 | Mitchell Docker | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | 20 | David Tanner | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 21 | Beñat Intxausti | Movistar Team | s.t. | 22 | Blaz Jarc | Team NetApp - Endura | s.t. | 23 | Michel Kreder | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | 24 | Sebastian Langeveld | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | 25 | Stephen Cummings | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | 26 | Esteban Chaves | Colombia | s.t. | 27 | Rubén Pérez | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | 28 | Samuel Sánchez | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | 29 | Nicolas Roche | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | s.t. | 30 | Daniel Martin | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | 31 | Pablo Lastras | Movistar Team | s.t. | 32 | Rubén Plaza | Movistar Team | s.t. | 33 | Richie Porte | Sky Procycling | s.t. | 34 | Luke Rowe | Sky Procycling | s.t. | 35 | Rui Costa | Movistar Team | s.t. | 36 | Takashi Miyazawa | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | s.t. | 37 | Luis León Sánchez | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 38 | Kanstantsin Siutsou | Sky Procycling | s.t. | 39 | Fabio Duarte | Colombia | s.t. | 40 | Ángel Madrazo | Movistar Team | s.t. | 41 | Wesley Sulzberger | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | 42 | Alberto Contador | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | s.t. | 43 | Michele Scarponi | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | 44 | Tanel Kangert | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | 45 | Delfi Cervero | FDJ.fr | s.t. | 46 | Dennis Van Winden | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 47 | Andrew Talansky | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | 48 | Peter Stetina | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | 49 | Carlos Quintero | Colombia | s.t. | 50 | Ryder Hesjedal | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | 51 | Peter Velits | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | 52 | Dominik Nerz | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | 53 | Grega Bole | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 54 | Daniel Moreno | Katusha Team | s.t. | 55 | Rinaldo Nocentini | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | 56 | Ben Swift | Sky Procycling | s.t. | 57 | Bruno Pires | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | s.t. | 58 | Kevin Seeldraeyers | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | 59 | Matteo Bono | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | 60 | Carlos Verona | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | 61 | Bartosz Huzarski | Team NetApp - Endura | s.t. | 62 | Alberto Losada | Katusha Team | s.t. | 63 | Julian Kern | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | 64 | Leopold König | Team NetApp - Endura | s.t. | 65 | Yury Trofimov | Katusha Team | s.t. | 66 | Iván Velasco | Caja Rural - Seguros RGA | s.t. | 67 | Andreas Schillinger | Team NetApp - Endura | s.t. | 68 | Roger Kluge | Team NetApp - Endura | s.t. | 69 | Timothy Duggan | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | s.t. | 70 | Matthew Busche | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | 71 | Laurens Ten Dam | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 72 | Davide Rebellin | CCC Polsat - Polkowice | s.t. | 73 | Tiziano Dall'Antonia | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | 74 | Domenico Pozzovivo | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | 75 | Juan Manuel Gárate | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 76 | Marco Marcato | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 77 | Markel Irizar | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | 78 | Damiano Caruso | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | 79 | Michael Hepburn | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | 80 | Marco Haller | Katusha Team | s.t. | 81 | Pieter Weening | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | 82 | Igor Antón | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | 83 | Bram Tankink | Belkin Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 84 | John Darwin Atapuma | Colombia | s.t. | 85 | Paolo Tiralongo | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | 86 | Maxime Monfort | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | 87 | Jelle Vanendert | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | 88 | Giampaolo Caruso | Katusha Team | s.t. | 89 | Tom Danielson | Garmin - Sharp | s.t. | 90 | Wout Poels | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 91 | Jordan Lewis | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | 92 | Egoi Martínez | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | 93 | Nikias Arndt | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | 94 | Andreas Klöden | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | 95 | Kristijan Durasek | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | 96 | Adriano Malori | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | 97 | Xavier Florencio | Katusha Team | s.t. | 98 | Jonathan Tiernan-Locke | Sky Procycling | s.t. | 99 | Dennis Vanendert | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | 100 | Tomasz Kiendyś | CCC Polsat - Polkowice | s.t. | 101 | Daniel Teklehaimanot | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | 102 | Tim Wellens | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | 103 | Jacek Morajko | CCC Polsat - Polkowice | s.t. | 104 | Sylwester Janiszewski | CCC Polsat - Polkowice | s.t. | 105 | Ricardo García | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | 106 | Ángel Vicioso | Katusha Team | s.t. | 107 | Michael Schwarzmann | Team NetApp - Endura | s.t. | 108 | Matthias Krizek | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | 109 | Valerio Agnoli | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | 110 | Mikel Nieve | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | 111 | José Herrada | Movistar Team | s.t. | 112 | Alex Fischer | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | 113 | Jens Voigt | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | 114 | Haimar Zubeldia | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | 115 | Vasil Kiryienka | Sky Procycling | s.t. | 116 | Marek Rutkiewicz | CCC Polsat - Polkowice | s.t. | 117 | Adrian Kurek | CCC Polsat - Polkowice | s.t. | 118 | Christian Knees | Sky Procycling | s.t. | 119 | Christopher Juul-Jensen | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | s.t. | 120 | Kristian House | Rapha Condor - JLT | s.t. | 121 | Adam Hansen | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | 122 | Luke Grivell-Mellor | Rapha Condor - JLT | s.t. | 123 | Pim Ligthart | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 124 | Jonas Ahlstrand | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | 125 | Juan Esteban Arango | Colombia | s.t. | 126 | Grzegorz Stepniak | CCC Polsat - Polkowice | s.t. | 127 | Maciej Paterski | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | 128 | Michal Golas | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | 129 | Laurent Didier | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | 130 | Juan José Cobo | Movistar Team | s.t. | 131 | Vicente Reynès | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | 132 | Mikaël Chérel | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | 133 | Michael Cuming | Rapha Condor - JLT | s.t. | 134 | Aaron Buggle | Rapha Condor - JLT | s.t. | 135 | Laurent Mangel | FDJ.fr | s.t. | 136 | Benjamín Noval | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | s.t. | 137 | Hubert Dupont | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | 138 | Federico Canuti | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | 139 | Francisco Javier Moreno | Caja Rural - Seguros RGA | s.t. | 140 | Sander Cordeel | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | 141 | Fredrik Kessiakoff | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | 142 | David De la Cruz | Team NetApp - Endura | s.t. | 143 | Vladimir Karpets | Movistar Team | s.t. | 144 | Marcos García | Caja Rural - Seguros RGA | s.t. | 145 | Javier Francisco Aramendia | Caja Rural - Seguros RGA | s.t. | 146 | Bert De Backer | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | 147 | Mathieu Sprick | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | 148 | André Cardoso | Caja Rural - Seguros RGA | s.t. | 149 | Niels De Vries | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | 150 | Danilo Wyss | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | 151 | Duber Quintero | Colombia | s.t. | 152 | Bert-Jan Lindeman | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 153 | Sandy Casar | FDJ.fr | s.t. | 154 | Guillaume Bonnafond | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | 155 | Rob Ruijgh | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 156 | Laurent Pichon | FDJ.fr | s.t. | 157 | Rafael Valls | Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team | s.t. | 158 | Cédric Pineau | FDJ.fr | s.t. | 159 | Jens Mouris | Orica - GreenEdge | s.t. | 160 | Daniele Pietropolli | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | 161 | Michael Rodriguez | Colombia | s.t. | 162 | Yan Dong Xing | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | 163 | Marco Pinotti | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | 164 | Mikel Landa | Euskaltel - Euskadi | s.t. | 165 | Alan Marangoni | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | 166 | Larry Warbasse | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | 167 | Manuele Mori | Lampre - Merida | s.t. | 168 | Juraj Sagan | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | 169 | Josh Burton | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | 170 | Anton Vorobyev | Katusha Team | s.t. | 171 | Matteo Montaguti | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | 172 | Manuel Cardoso | Caja Rural - Seguros RGA | s.t. | 173 | François Parisien | Team Argos - Shimano | s.t. | 174 | James McCallum | Rapha Condor - JLT | s.t. | 175 | Amets Txurruka | Caja Rural - Seguros RGA | s.t. | 176 | Gianluca Brambilla | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | 177 | David Boucher | FDJ.fr | s.t. | 178 | Alessandro Vanotti | Astana Pro Team | s.t. | 179 | Bert Grabsch | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | 180 | Tiago Machado | RadioShack - Leopard | s.t. | 181 | Markus Eichler | Team NetApp - Endura | s.t. | 182 | Kevin De Weert | Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team | s.t. | 183 | Josef Cerny | CCC Polsat - Polkowice | s.t. | 184 | Arnaud Courteille | FDJ.fr | s.t. | 185 | Will Stephenson | Rapha Condor - JLT | s.t. | 186 | Cameron Wurf | Cannondale Pro Cycling | s.t. | 187 | Ben Gastauer | AG2R La Mondiale | s.t. | 188 | Olivier Kaisen | Lotto Belisol | s.t. | 189 | Jeremy Powers | BMC Racing Team | s.t. | 190 | Elliott Porter | Rapha Condor - JLT | s.t. | 191 | Edward Laverack | Rapha Condor - JLT | s.t. |
No changes in the GC.
Points
Rank | Name | Team | Points | General | 1 | Daniele Bennati | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | 25 | 75 | 2 | Richie Porte | Sky Procycling | 0 | 59 | 3 | Alberto Contador | Team Saxo - Tinkoff | 0 | 45 | 4 | Samuel Sánchez | Euskaltel - Euskadi | 0 | 38 | 5 | Nicklas Stromberg | Garmin - Sharp | 16 | 37 |
Bennati now leads the competition after taking his first win.
In changes in top 10 KoM classification
No changes to Youth classification |
|
|
|
krisa |
Posted on 17-01-2014 20:38
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3962
Joined: 12-04-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Another bad result
|
|
|
|
Dippofix |
Posted on 17-01-2014 20:41
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3906
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
Sweet, Strömberg nearly clinching the win, but third is also great.
|
|
|
|
TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-01-2014 20:57
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Ollfardh wrote:
Nah, NC's won't be part of goals, for several reasons.
Could you explain these reasons?
|
|
|
|
The Rider |
Posted on 17-01-2014 21:04
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4543
Joined: 29-02-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Nice going RadioShack at Catalunya......!
It would have been better if you were able to post the overall GC after the stage. Because the previous stage was ages ago and goodness knows on which page, a lot of pages here get filled up with 'hot air'. |
|
|
|
Ollfardh |
Posted on 17-01-2014 21:05
|
World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
TheManxMissile wrote:
Ollfardh wrote:
Nah, NC's won't be part of goals, for several reasons.
Could you explain these reasons?
- unfair depending on countries
- don't count as racedays, so unfair to others
- you will already gain benefits from winning
- personaly against it
Too bad in catalunya, was expecting more from Hofland and Riquelme
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
|
|
|
TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-01-2014 21:30
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
@Ollfardh
Fair point with the race days, on its own that's enough reasons. The others are fairly weak reasons (Unfair countered by your countered goals, gain benefits countered by gaining benefits in normal races as rankings, personally countered by will of the people)
|
|
|
|
Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 16:15
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
IP: None |
|
|
brewers90 |
Posted on 17-01-2014 21:35
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3711
Joined: 01-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
What an absolutely dismal performance from Blythe . But good job from Stevo, nearly made it.
|
|
|
|
Dippofix |
Posted on 17-01-2014 21:35
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3906
Joined: 29-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
Fun fact: Garmin riders have finished on all Top 10 places, except of course the 1st.
|
|
|
|
nacho63 |
Posted on 17-01-2014 22:13
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1944
Joined: 14-03-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
That is a fun fact
Mezgec almost making the race worth while, almost... |
|
|
|
Stromeon |
Posted on 17-01-2014 22:21
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3507
Joined: 06-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Fun fact: Saxo has won four stages
|
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 17-01-2014 22:22
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
STUPID GAME! How do we not win from there!? And finish 4th even!
|
|
|
|
brewers90 |
Posted on 17-01-2014 22:23
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3711
Joined: 01-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Dippofix wrote:
Fun fact: Garmin riders have finished on all Top 10 places, except of course the 1st.
That sounds familiar. We should start a club.
|
|
|
|
sutty68 |
Posted on 17-01-2014 23:57
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Palinin in seventh place, that was a shock |
|
|
|
SilasColdfire |
Posted on 18-01-2014 00:34
|
Stagiare
Posts: 191
Joined: 21-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
wow, some nice first results that I read of Astana in Catalunya's stage 5. Gavazzi 5th and Aru 8th. Gavazzi I can understand, but Aru in Top 10 of a sprint? Nice surprise! |
|
|
|
mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 18-01-2014 08:55
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2244
Joined: 30-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Nothing special from Cannondale. Need more mountains. |
|
|
|
Cycleman123 |
Posted on 18-01-2014 13:31
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4478
Joined: 30-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
When do you want Indurain? Tomorrow?
|
|
|
|
knockout |
Posted on 18-01-2014 13:40
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
|
The race kicks of in Middelkerke where the most difficult begins. With many small bumps and some cobblestone passages those who don't want to trust their TT abilities or the sprinting abilities already have to try something.
The race continues with two flat stage (190km / 110 km) which surely will end up in a mass sprint.
The final decision will be the ending TT (11km) which has often decided the winner in the last few years. In the last 3 years the winner of the fourth stage was always the final GC winner.
Full Startlist:
Spoiler Astana
Guardini
Guarnieri
Lutsenko
Muravyev
Silin
Zeits
Belkin
Bos
Boom
Leezer
Tjallingi
Van Emden
Vanmarcke
Wagner
Wynants
BMC
Hushovd
Lander
Lodewyck
Phinney
Powers
Van Avermaet
Euskaltel
Radochla
Chaoufi
Schulze
Verboven
Kocjan
Minguez
Aberasturi
Oroz
Katusha
Belkov
Brutt
Gusev
Ignatiev
Selig
Smukulis
Lotto
Bak
Bille
Debusschere
Greipel
Roelandts
Sieberg
Vangenechten
Willems
Omega Pharma
Sylvain Chavanel
Kristof Vandewalle
Niki Terpstra
Matteo Trentin
Julien Vermote
Jaxton Mcnutt
Nikolas Maes
Vacansoleil
Veuchelen
Wauters
Mol
Boeckmans
Leukemans
Flecha
Accent Jobs
Ylvo Chekyakov
Davy Commeye
Jempy Drucker
Voltali Feunard
Mika Kurri
Danilo Napolitano
Zoltan Ruiz Gonzalez
Staf Scheirlinckx
Bretagne
Corbel
Duret
Fonseca
Jarrier
Koretsky
Le Montagner
Caja Rural
Nicky Van Drenthe
Lasca
Manuel Cardoso
Yelko Gomez
Karol Domagalski
Ramon Domenene
Danail Petrov
Pietor Furan
CCC
Matysiak
Nowak
Stepniak
Taciak
Owsian
Cerny
Champion System
Avery
Bell
Beyer
Brammeier
Roth
Traksel
Crelan
Amorison
Barbe
Delfosse
Nys
Planckaert
Vantomme
Europecar
Chavanel, Sébastien
Coquard, Bryan
Di Silvestro, Drago
Gaudin, Damien
Khamse Khamphan, Lue
Pichot, Alexandre
Thurau, Björn
Turgot, Sébastien
Team Novo
Calabria
De Mesmaeker
Eldridge
Lozano
Mejias
Peron
Topsport
Cornu
Devreese
Declercq
Van Asbroeck
Van Hecke
Vandousselaere
Vini
Andriato
Hulsmans
Giordani
Merlo
Miletta
Pozzo
The Favourites:
***** Sylvain Chavanel (OPQ) *****
Having won the race last year, Chavanel has to be the top favourite this year. He is one of the best TT riders here and only few riders here are better on either cobbles or hills. With the likes of N.Terpstra or J. McNutt he has many strong domestiques with him.
**** Taylor Phinney (BMC), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) ****
With Phinney, Van Avermaet and Thor Hushovd BMC brought some top-class riders here. Phinney has the reputation of being the best TT rider here and Van Avermaet could be a strong contender on the first stages.
We will see if Powers, Lander and Lodewyck are strong enough to support them.
*** Andre Greipel (LTB) ***
Greipel is by far the best sprinter here. If he can stay in contact with the best on the first stage and limit his losses in the TT he could get a shot on the top places due to the bonus seconds on offer. With Roelandts, Debusschere and Sieberg as leadout train he can aim for two stage wins.
** Lars Boom (BEL), Lue Khamse Kamphan (EUC), Jürgen Roelandts (LTB), Niki Terpstra (OPQ)
* Juan Antonio Flecha (VCD), Damien Gaudin (EUC), Seb Vanmarcke (BEL), Sebastian Turgot (EUC)
Edited by knockout on 18-01-2014 14:02
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters!
|
|
|