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EPIC - Season 2 Part 2
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| Shonak |
Posted on 26-06-2015 08:58
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Lazy me just mostly copying the preview I wrote last year. 
The hell of the North
“It's bollocks, this race! You're working like an animal,
you don't have time to piss, you wet your pants.
You're riding in mud like this, you're slipping ...
it’s a pile of shit.” - Theo de Rooij
It’s up. It’s arguably the single most prestigious and most-famous one-day race in the world of cycling. The Queen of Classics is as much of a press-event as a showcase for young talent but most of all, it`s a true battlefield for the world best northern classic specialists. It derived its nickname “Hell of the North” from the battlefield of World War 1: This race is not for the faint of heart.
Have no delusions: Whilst many rider have chances to snatch a breakaway win at E3 Prijs or Gent – Wevelgem, the heavy-weights will make sure that they can fight for the win among themselves. Any breakaway riders crumble here sooner or later, and regarding them as an obstacle isn’t even valid. Still, there have been lucky escapes in the past, such as in 1988, and there’s always room for one more.
"Paris–Roubaix is bullshit" - Bernhard Hinault
Paris – Roubaix was first introduced in 1896 and has been ever since one of the oldest and toughest cycling races in history. The finish has remained in Roubaix, but since 1968 it starts in Compiègne. Because of its long existence, Paris – Roubaix can look back on a rich culture. The cobbles have become mystic treasures of the region and the Vélodrome appears as a long-searched safe haven for all these tired souls. Riders have complained about the difficulty of the course and organizations such as the “Les Amis de Paris – Roubaix” try to maintain the cobble sections difficulty, while also making it friendlier towards the riders. Certainly, the long cobbles are the most hostile factor in this otherwise rather flat race. Different to Ronde van Vlaanderen with its painful hills, a rider has to feature foremost two traits: A flawless ability to crush the flat and indecency & courage on the dirt roads and dangerous rocks. Oh, and he should have luck to avoid any punctures, crashes or other unfortunante incidents that can ruin his dream of winning Paris – Roubaix.
Especially under bad weather conditions, this race can truly become a hell of its own kind. Paris – Roubaix remains as a race for only the toughest of northern race specialists. Many riders avoided this race in the past, such as in 2004 where apparently no Top 20 UCI rider was even featured in the race. This race can be an enormous victory for one – and it can also ruin your entire career… In 1998, for example, Johan Museeuw crashed so badly he would have nearly lost his left leg. He later went on to win Paris – Roubaix two more times.
Riders obtain a mounted cobble stone of the race, “easily the most prized piece of rock in cycling“, if they win Paris – Roubaix. Record winners are Roger de Vlaeminck and Tom Boonen, each one winning the race 4 times.
The Ronde van Vlaanderen saw an impressive showcase of Fabian Cancellara, who will be eager to win another stone this year. He has led Peter Sagan all the way to victory in Flanders, and whilst the Ronde van Vlaanderen 2014 may go into history as the "Ronde of Wheelsucking", since Borut Bozic did the same as Sagan and came second, it's hard to argue with the results. Sagan is to be considered a top favourite, especially if it comes to a sprint. Tom Boonen was at his best at the Ronde, he lost Cance early on and did a lot of pulling down in the other group, but he certainly has chances. Last year's winner Sep Vanmarcke, who won by making the decisive attack in strong manner, will look to repeat his victory, especially since his showing at the Ronde van Vlaanderen was shockingly weak. Greg Van Avermaet is another name who will want to prove himself yet again, seeing as how an unfortunate puncture put him out of contention.
Spoiler Astana
Bozic
Gavazzi
Guarnieri
Ponzi
Silin
Tiralongo
Turgot
Vanotti
Belkin
Boom
Leezer
Stuyven
Tjallingii
Van Emden
Van Keirsbulck
Vanmarcke
Wynants
BMC
Marcus Burghardt
Fabio Felline
Thor Hushovd
Daniel Oss
Taylor Phinney
Manuel Quinziato
Michael Schär
Greg Van Avermaet
Cannondale
Guillaume Boivin
Mauro Da Dalto
Jonathan Dibben
Edward King
Paolo Longo Borghini
Mads Pedersen
Fabio Sabatini
Peter Sagan
Europcar
Gaudin
Jérôme
Khamse Khamphan
Pichot
Senechal
Sylv Chavanel
Veilleux
Voeckler
Euskaltel
Aberasturi, Jon
Erviti, Imanoel
Fernandez, Koldo
Florencio, Xavier
García, Egoitz
Irizar, Markel
Sicard, Romain
Verboven, Rudy
Garmin
Bauer
Haas
Millar
Nuyens
Stybar
Vansummeren
Yates
Zabriskie
Giant
Curvers
Dekker
Dumoulin
Stamsnijder
Ten Dam
Timmer
Veelers
Westra
Katusha
Bole, Grega
Ignatiev, Mikhail
Kristoff, Alexander
Kump, Marko
Kuznetsov, Vyacheslav
Löwenherz, Richard
Porsev, Alexander
Smukulis, Gatis
Lotto
Gaetan Bille
Jens Debusschere
André Greipel
Iljo Keisse
Martijn Maaskant
Jurgen Roelandts
Marcel Sieberg
Loïc Vliegen
Movistar
Amador, Andrey
Del Pino, Jesús
Flecha, Juan Antonio
Lastras, Pablo
Oroz, Juan José
Rojas, José Joaquín
Sbaragli, Kristian
Ventoso, Francisco José
Omega Pharma
Boonen
De Backer
De Weerd
Pauwels
Serry
Steegmans
Vandewalle
Vermote
Orica
Sam Bewley
Mitch Docker
Caleb Ewan
Jens Keukeleire
Sebastian Langeveld
Klaas Lodewyck
Amael Moinard
Svein Tuft
Sky
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Bernhard Eisel
Matthew Hayman
Alf Pedersen
Ian Stannard
Andrew Tennant
Geraint Thomas
Scott Thwaites
Tinkoff
Breschel
Fuglsang
Jorgensen
Juul-Jensen
Morkov
Sorensen
Sorensen
Valgren
Trek
Cancellara
Devolder
Hermans
Maes
Monfort
Popovych
Rast
Sergent
AG2R
Bardet
Chainel
Dumoulin
Kadri
Minard
Montaguti
Ravard
Rossetto
Bretagne
Bideau
Delpech
Dion
Gerard
Guillou
Lequatre
Perichon
Vachon
Cofidis
Bonnet William
Cammaerts Edwig
Charneux Charlie
Delage Mickaël
Ghyselinck Jan
Gusev Vladimir
Martinez Yannick
Petit Adrien
FDJ
Aquali Feunard
Tony Gallopin
Alexis Gougeard
Quentin Jauregui
Mathieu Ladagnous
Johan Le Bon
Johann Offredo
Anthony Roux
IAM
Marco Bandiera
Martin Elmiger
Heinrich Haussler
Sèbastien Hinault
Kevyn Ista
Jan Kaas
Gustav Larsson
Alexseje Saramotins
Sojasun
Delaplace
El Fares
Engoulvent
Feillu
Hivert
Lelay
Lemoine
Pauriol
Vacansoleil
Bak
Boeckmans
Feillu
Leukemans
Pichon
Tankink
Vandenbergh
Vaugrenard
Wanty
Steven Caethoven
Andy Cappelle
Davy Commeye
Jempy Drucker
Staf Scheirlinckx
Stefan Van Dijk
James Vanlandschoot
Benjamin Verraes
“Sure, it's the most beautiful race in the world!” - Theo de Rooij, asked if he’d race it again.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Selwink |
Posted on 26-06-2015 09:09
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Failed goal #1 is in. If Wesemann had won I would have sent Potgieter to win the Vuelta immediately though
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 26-06-2015 10:17
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Good preview, but it looked familiar indeed 
Time for Belkin to do something after very bad performances in Ronde and Koln. Rudy should be confirming after some good classics. The lack of hills in Roubaix is not in his favour, but well, he should still get a few points.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Eddy The Boss |
Posted on 26-06-2015 15:05
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Under 23
Posts: 54
Joined: 22-06-2015
PCM$: 200.00
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AAHHHH Why isn't Degenkolb riding Roubaix?  |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 01:12
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 26-06-2015 16:31
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2244
Joined: 30-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I don't think Sagan will win this one, too many cobbles and not enough hills. But maybe we could slip Cancellara a bag of dollars again.  |
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| brewers90 |
Posted on 26-06-2015 16:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3711
Joined: 01-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Ah, Paris - Roubaix time. My favourite moment of last season. Can this moment of sheer brilliance be matched? Doubtful.
The Hell of the North
"Paris–Roubaix is bullshit" - Alessandro Ballan, 2013
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| Forever the Best |
Posted on 26-06-2015 18:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3803
Joined: 27-06-2014
PCM$: 400.00
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Eddy The Boss wrote:
AAHHHH Why isn't Degenkolb riding Roubaix? Degenkolb has only 75 or 76 COB. |
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| JoeArmstrong13 |
Posted on 26-06-2015 20:35
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1244
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The Giro is going to make or break my season part here, praying for a stage win!
My Stories
My Teams
ICL - Project Cumbria Powered by Thomas Graham Steel & Industrial Supplies |
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| Eddy The Boss |
Posted on 29-06-2015 12:27
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Under 23
Posts: 54
Joined: 22-06-2015
PCM$: 200.00
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JoeArmstrong13 wrote:
The Giro is going to make or break my season part here, praying for a stage win!
I'm worried that it will be the same for us Although maybe Flanders shows some positivity. Desperately need a GC Win for nibbles!!
My Userbar Was Made By the_hoyle
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 29-06-2015 23:16
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
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DB still messed up, and since when was Vincent Reynès riding for us?
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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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 30-06-2015 10:24
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Are you sure you downloaded the latest one? But Atlantius will check
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Selwink |
Posted on 30-06-2015 10:43
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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I downloaded the latest one yesterday. It's still messed up to me (although you probably already were aware of that)
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 30-06-2015 11:26
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3591
Joined: 18-03-2014
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Yeah when doing the stage 2 for the Giro, I had to start over cause Thomas Hinault was in the break with different stats.
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 30-06-2015 11:41
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Ok, let's fix it first then
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 30-06-2015 12:41
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World Champion
Posts: 11971
Joined: 21-07-2012
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Ollfardh wrote:
Ok, let's fix it first then
doesn't that make all the races that are raced invalid?
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| Selwink |
Posted on 30-06-2015 12:52
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
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Pays Vasco had all correct stats, I kept that in mind before racing, so it doesn't need a rerun.
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 30-06-2015 19:02
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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SSJ2Luigi wrote:
Ollfardh wrote:
Ok, let's fix it first then
doesn't that make all the races that are raced invalid?
Check the stats of the custom riders in your race first, if they were weird then yep (sorry Oldfart if I'm wring here)
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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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 30-06-2015 21:06
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2244
Joined: 30-06-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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SSJ2Luigi wrote:
Ollfardh wrote:
Ok, let's fix it first then
doesn't that make all the races that are raced invalid?
No Knowing my luck something is wrong with Vlaanderen. |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 05-07-2015 11:57
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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The mess of the DB only affected riders starting with H as far as I have discovered. Was down to a sorting error as Hägg was correctly spelled in thd DB but spelled as Hagg in the seperate stat-sheet that was copy-pasted. That made him the first H-rider in one and the last in the other thus making riders swap stats
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 06-07-2015 18:16
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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So, is the DB on the first page up to date now?
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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