Yeah, I don't think anybody really cares about the calendar being strictly followed. Within reason. Oman, Algarve and Langkawi can all start really. As we have seen with San Luis, you should start it as soon as possible just in case you get too busy later.
The Hobbit wrote:
To be honest, I'm glad he got on the pictures, only mention of the team really, except, for 'Fabian leads home the second group'. Just wish that it was the final sprint we won, come on guys, let's get this Podium! Maybe the break will stay away and he'll win the sprint!
Are you high?
Seriously, when's Oman starting? Come on jaxika, your forum needs you.
Sorry. Busy days in school (im a history teacher).But i promise will be up in this week
This is just the preview. I won't start the race until Qatar is finished and, as long as they don't take too long, once Oman and Algarve have started.
The EPIC season moves on to the tropical climate of Malaysia for the CT.5 classified Tour de Langkawi. With the intense heat and humidity, this is usually a race for those riders that come from hot countries, so expect Colombians, Australians, Spaniards and Italians to do well here. It is also one of the very few races at this time of year with actual mountains and, therefore, some top climbers will descend on Malaysia to test their early-season legs. This should be a very, very good race.
The Route
The race opens up with two stages that look destined to end in sprints. Stage 1 is the longer of the two and does have a few, very short, climbs near the end, which will test those that struggle with all climbing. Stage 2 has a massive first category climb halfway through the stage but is completely flat after that, so the main interest here will be who will claim an early advantage in the KoM competition.
Stage 3 will see the sprinters take a back seat as the climbers come to the fore. However, with the long climb to the Cameron Highlands being very easy in terms of average gradient, I wouldn't expect any big gaps here. The most likely scenario is a couple of outsiders getting away on the final HC climb and battling it out amongst themselves, although bunch sprints among the climbers are not unheard of up here.
Stage 4 looks like it could be straight out of the Tour of Qatar guide to stagemaking, with no climbing whatsoever, meaning a bunch sprint is surely inevitable.
The decisive stage of the race comes at the halfway point as the heat will be starting to wear some riders down. The 22.3km ascent of Genting Highlands should decide the GC once and for all here. With an average gradient of 7% and a maximum gradient of 14.9%, this is a true mountain test. A bad day today and it's all over. A good day and your job is still only half done but you will have one hand on the trophy.
The second half of the race should be a sprinter's paradise with only four third category climbs to get over in the five stages. Stage 6 is easily the most difficult of the five, with a route comfortably over 200 kilometres containing three categorised climbs to tackle. The remaining stages are all completely flat (apart from a small lump on stage 7) and should be purely about the sprinters. However, it needs to be said that whoever is in the lead of the race will have to stay safe in the peloton, while their team make sure no dangerous riders gain any time. And the relentless heat could make that very difficult. A final mention must go for those brave breakaway riders, who will do well to get anywhere near the finish in these stages. There really should be eight bunch sprints here.
The Riders
GC Contenders
Favourites Simon Spilak (KAT) - The Slovenian rider will certainly be the main one to watch when the road goes uphill. Not only is he the best climber here but he's very comfortable on the flat, meaning he should have plenty left when he gets to the mountains. Losada and Vorganov are also very capable lieutenants.
Franco Pellizotti (AND) - The Italian veteran is still feared when the gradients go up and his powerful acceleration could cause problems for the diesel climbers. Not the strongest rider on the flat but a very strong team with Sella, Reda, Chiarini and Felline should ensure he's always kept in the right position.
Fabio Duarte (COL) - The Colombians will have no problem with the heat here and everyone knows they love mountains, so the Colombia team are always going to be dangerous here. Their leader is Duarte and he should be right up there on stage five. His major weaknesses are his recovery and his power on the flat but with Atapuma and Chaves, he has a phenomenal team around him.
Janez Brajkovic (AST) - Another Slovenian, who, just like compatriot Spilak, is very strong all-around. His major problem will be dealing with the accelerations of the lightweight climbers but nobody can deny his climbing ability. Astana come here focusing on the sprints but Vanotti could do a very good job for him.
Outsiders Pieter Weening (OGE) - Dutchman Weening may not be as good in the high mountains as the others but his experience and great attacking opportunism means he will be a danger, especially on stage 3. Also has a strong team around him, with Favre and Clarke strong climbers.
Josef Hintermuller (MTN) - Young German Josef is a strong climber with the ability to last ten days but he is weak on the flat and has absolutely no support from his team. He will be isolated very quickly on the climbs.
Travis Jones (SOJ) - Another youngster, Canadian Jones will hope to show Sojasun's management what he can do. At just 19, his lack of experience will hold him back and he is really poor on the flat. He has the best recovery of all the GC contenders but he will use a lot more energy on the flat stages so it should mean nothing. He does however have Feillu and local(ish) rider Sinaga to help him.
Stefano Pirazzi (BAR) - There's nobody in the race, with the possible exception of Flecha, who loves an attack more than Italian Pirazzi. He doesn't have the pure climbing power of his rivals but you can guarantee he will liven the race up. And should the others look at each other, you never know.
Favourites Fabian Brookes (BAR) - Young Australian Brookes comes from Qatar hoping to notch up some easy wins. He is by far the quickest finisher here but will need to get his wins early as his terrible recovery will have him in serious trouble near the end. If they can overcome their inexperience and stay together near the end, he and Irishman O'Callaghan will be a deadly duo.
Andrea Guardini (AST) - Guardini hates climbing so it's a good job most of these stages are completely flat. With great recovery and great acceleration, as well as a team built around him, with Guarnieri as a top leadout man, he should be the closest to Brookes.
Leigh Howard/Aidis Kruopis (OGE) - Orica have a leadership issue but whichever one they choose to be their main sprinter will be up there. Howard is unquestionably the stronger of the two but Kruopis is no slouch. Allan Davis is here to help both. The sprints could have a distinctively Australian feel here.
Outsiders Danny Van Poppel (VCD) - One of the biggest talents out there, 19 year-old Dutchman Van Poppel will struggle to beat Brookes and Guardini but with a bit of luck, anything is possible. He is also in the unique position of having his brother as his leadout man! Also has by far the strongest team on the flat, with Leukemans, Flecha, Westra and Hoogerland to make things hard.
Naveed Alinejad (RLT) - Young Iranian Alinejad will want to do well on Asian soil and has the ability to mix it with the quick guys. However, he will be on his own and will need a lot of luck to get anywhere near the win. Also, look for him near the end due to his great recovery.
Alexander Porsev (KAT) - Another rider, like Alinejad, who won't have any help in the final few kilometres but he should be there or thereabouts.
Fabio Felline (AND) - There are few riders here as strong all round as young Italian Felline. Unless Pellizotti has the leader's jersey, he should have freedom to go for it but will definitely struggle to beat the pure sprinters. More hills would have been nice for Felline.
Others to Watch Stauff (MTN), Vantomme/Stallaert (CRE), Duque (COL), Traksel (CSS), Van Asbroeck/Vandousselaere (TSV), Walker (TNE), Siskevicius (SOJ), Vachon (BRE), Guarnieri (AST), O'Callaghan (BAR), B.Van Poppel (VCD), Davis (OGE)
So sending weak squads from Katusha and Astana lasted a long time As i said the best way is to just not send their best riders to anything except the really big races (Monuments and GT's basically). It hurts that team, but fuck it, no-one is going to care as they are not managed. The CT teams, who would have to face some decent WT riders anyway, are now more buggered.
Brajkovic, Guardini, Spilak, Nibali, Kangert, Moreno, Purito, Kristoff should just not turn up for the time being.
Otherwise it looks like an interesting race. Good mix of potential winners for all terrains. Also Brewers, just start when you have the time. Waiting, leads to waiting, leads to waiting, leads to death.
Well, I'm not planning on dying any time soon. But if I do, this will be the last of my worries . (Really hoping this doesn't turn out to be my last ever post)
Hopefully, Atlantius can finish Qatar soon and I can get this going. Also, who created Favre, don't remember him?
The Hobbit wrote:
Yay, we must get some stage wins here! Looks good for Fabian, and maybe a surprise for Stefano, I bargained on a weak field, and I got lucky!
The first intermediate sprint is taken by Haller in front of Schmidt and Serov. The break has less than a minute to the peloton.
The “final” break consist of Traksel, Stallaert, Zakarin, De Mesmaaker and Belkov.
With 80 km to go they have 4 minutes to the peloton, whoere OPQS as usual does the early work.
60 km and 5’30’’ Orica and Argos have come to the front. As usual.
40 km and 3’30’’ Zakarin takes the 2nd intermediate ahead of Traksel and Belkov.
30 km and 2’30’’
20 km and 1’12’’
Another day where most teams have plenty to do hanging on to the sprinters alliance. Zakarin is putting in a massive effort to keep the sprinters at bay.
Not a big enough effort though and the usual trains can get formed.
Today Argos has the lead going into the final 3,5 km. Boonen and Cavendish are sitting on the back of the Dutch train.
The usual suspects are all in place except Nizzolo who is far back in spite of Rast being decently placed. Guess the Italian didn't get the memo?
3 km to go
2 km. Boonen leading out Cav, who has Markus on his wheel and Orica struggling to get Goss past
Final km and it’s Boonen/Cavendish, Matthews/Goss, Markus, Sinkeldam/Kittel, Coquard, Guido and Hushovd.
300 m it’s close between Cavendish and Goss. Kittel is not done yet!
But who am I kidding?
A close finish, but that is as much down to routine as anything else I'm afraid...
As i said the best way is to just not send their best riders to anything except the really big races (Monuments and GT's basically). It hurts that team, but fuck it, no-one is going to care as they are not managed. The CT teams, who would have to face some decent WT riders anyway, are now more buggered.
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
Mark Cavendish
Matthew Goss
Marcel Kittel
Barry Markus
Bryan Coquard
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Thor Hushovd
Giacomo Nizzolo
Tom Boonen
Taylor Phinney
RadioShack - Leopard
BMC Racing Team
