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EPIC - Season 1 Part 3
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 26-09-2014 00:22
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Spoiler With all these races going on now it feels a bit weird to preview the next one already. However, I really like that pace and will post the race when its appropriate in my opinion.
Spoiler In fact, I'm just giving me some time until I have to do the race 
PREVIEW:  28th Dutch Food Valley Classic
The Dutch Food Valley classic will take us from Veenendaal to Veenendal this year. Pretty silly to ride 200km being exactly where you started afterwards, you say? You are right, but that is pro cycling - and that is how this race always has been. That's enough of an introduction to the introduction, let's talk facts.
In 1985, the first edition of Veenendaal-Veenendaal was raced, won by Joop Zoetemelk. Originally created as a preparation race for the World Championships by the Royal Dutch Cycling Union, it then found its place in the race calendar and is raced every year since 1987.
Back in 2007, the semi-classic's name was changed to Dutch Food Valley Classic. It will be the last edition under that name this year as the main sponsor Food Valley will step back from that position. From 2014 on, the new name will be Arnhem-Veenendaal. All of that does not matter for us as we will hopefully have a stunning last edition of the Dutch Food Valley Classic.
The list of winners has big names in it, most of them are Dutch. Some you should know (or at least the ones I know) are Jean-Paul van Poppel, Olaf Ludwig and Steven de Jongh. In latest history, the winners were (picture of last year's winner, Theo Bos):
| 2006 |  Tom Boonen | | 2007 |  Steffen Radochla | | 2008 | Robert Förster | | 2009 | Kenny Van Hummel | | 2010 |  Edvald Boasson Hagen | | 2011 | Theo Bos | | 2012 | Theo Bos |
Looking at the official profile, one could assume the race is hilly as the Ardennes. However, it is pan-flat basically. What you don't see is that the highest points are only 50-100m above the lowest. The scale is pretty inappropriate, but I guess that shall make it look more like a real classic.  So the road has only minor rises and hills, we are clearly looking for a bunch sprint. Even if a brave attacker should succeed, you defineteley need strong rouleur qualities and not strength in climbing.
Though you may see that we race 195km, the riders will have to go for full 200km, taking the neutralized start in account. So the length could make some legs hurt earlier than they should. Nonetheless, every rider proven in the pro peloton should be able to make that without bigger struggle.
You see the startlist right here. If you spot any differences to your sent squads, please tell me. If you just spot any silly decisions by yourself now, I can't help it.
Al in all, 16 teams enter the race. As most bring 8 riders, but some also less, we have 105 riders going into the race.
The flat profile prefers a bunch sprint for sure. So all the favourites are basically the strongest sprinters on-paper. Though we know that there is a certain chance for a breakaway, so there are also non-sprinters some way down the list. You should know, by the way, that if a team has a sprint train for a rider, I won't mention the leadout (except guys I suppose to have a free role).
 André Greipel (Lotto/ FLA 79/ SPR 82/ ACC 81)
Willem Brouwer (Belkin/ FLA 76/ SPR 78/ ACC 79)
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky/ FLA 76/ SPR 76/ ACC 76)
Gianni Meersman (Omega/ FLA 74/ SPR 75/ ACC 77)
Mario Guido (MTN/ FLA 73/ SPR 76/ ACC 76)
Zdenek Stybar (Omega/ FLA 77/ FTR 77/ SPR 72/ ACC 76)
Michael Van Staeyen (Topsport/ FLA 73/ SPR 74/ ACC 75)
Baptiste Planckaert (Crelan/ FLA 72/ SPR 73/ ACC 74)
Stefan Van Dijk (Accent/ FLA 72/ SPR 73/ ACC 73)
Pim Lighthart (Vacansoleil/ FLA 72/ SPR 72/ ACC 73)
Sep Vanmarcke (Belkin/ FLA 78/ FTR 77/ ACC 73)
Ian Stannard (Sky/FLA 76/ FTR 77/ ACC 73)
If I had to predict a winner, it would be André Greipel and his Lotto Belisol Team. With this amount of teams having a strong sprinter, it will be hard to succeed from going on the attack, especially for the guys mentioned above. However, some teams will surely be on the attacker's side as they brought no real leaders. An active riding style should key to Bretagne, CCC, Cofidis, Novo Nordisk, RusVelo, Sojasun, and United Healthcare.
Even though they have no real chance of winning in my opinion, I want to give Feunard (ACC), De la Montagne, Birtles (both COF), Fischer (LTB), Sinaga (SOJ) as well as Shaqif, Kennedy and Schmidt (all MTN) a mention for obvious reasons.
Being at the end of this preview now, Lotto should please explain to me, why they sent De Clercq, their second strongest climber. And I'm seriously asking Ollfardh if he wants OPQS to change the asphalt on the roads into cobbles the night before the race.
I hope you feel well informed now. I am eager to see the race, I hope you will join in again on the live coverage. Until then, the other active races should always provide enough action.
Before we can race I please need anybody to tell me where to change the number of teams you have to assign to a race in the DB please as I can't start the race with custom teams. It tells me there should be between 10 and 0. I just started it without a control rider to give you the startlist. I will add one in the race of course.
Edited by Silvio Herklotz on 26-09-2014 00:32
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 26-09-2014 00:31
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World Champion
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Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Silvio Herklotz wrote:
[img]PUT STARTLIST IN[/img]
I mean, come on. it's there, in capital letters, then do it 
and technically the race should have already happend as DFVC should happen before the Vuelta even starts but that's partically my fault 
like the mention though but imo Feunard is more likely to have a good result then Van Dijk (no, I will not take my Feunard glasses off )
Edited by SSJ2Luigi on 26-09-2014 00:32
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 26-09-2014 00:33
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Posts: 1246
Joined: 26-02-2014
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SSJ2Luigi wrote:
Silvio Herklotz wrote:
[img]PUT STARTLIST IN[/img]
I mean, come on. it's there, in capital letters, then do it
Yes, I just forgot for 10 minutes. When I sometimes forgot earlier, no one mentioned it. 
Edited by Silvio Herklotz on 26-09-2014 00:34
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 26-09-2014 00:37
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World Champion
Posts: 11971
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Silvio Herklotz wrote:
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
Silvio Herklotz wrote:
[img]PUT STARTLIST IN[/img]
I mean, come on. it's there, in capital letters, then do it
Yes, I just forgot for 10 minutes. When I sometimes forgot earlier, no one mentioned it.
yup, PCM.daily in a nutshell. when you do everything right, nobody really take's any notice of it but once you make a little mistake. a huge tidel wave of comments comes floating your way |
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| brewers90 |
Posted on 26-09-2014 01:10
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Classics Specialist
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Don't question Marco's team selections. We've grown to love them.
Another great preview Silvio. Your English has improved so much in the last year. 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 09:20
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 26-09-2014 01:13
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brewers90 wrote:
Don't question Marco's team selections. We've grown to love them.
Another great preview Silvio. Your English has improved so much in the last year.
Thanks. Didn't notice that. But I'm glad if you say so. Tell that my old English teachers back in school and we'll have more guys joining in here
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 26-09-2014 06:17
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
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The Dutch Food Valley classic will take us from Veenendaal to Veenendaal this year. Pretty silly to ride 200km being exactly where you started afterwards, you say? You are right, but that is pro cycling - and that is how this race always has been. That's enough of an introduction to the introduction, let's talk facts.
I'm offended 
Being at the end of this preview now, Lotto should please explain to me, why they sent De Clercq, their second strongest climber. And I'm seriously asking Ollfardh if he wants OPQS to change the asphalt on the roads into cobbles the night before the race.
Emm well he was the only one with a spare raceday
PS; I think this version hasn't been made for PCM, so you should still have a 'flatter' finish on the Kerkewijk instead of the Elsterseberg
Edited by Marcovdw on 26-09-2014 06:18
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 26-09-2014 11:58
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Posts: 1246
Joined: 26-02-2014
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Marcovdw wrote:
The Dutch Food Valley classic will take us from Veenendaal to Veenendaal this year. Pretty silly to ride 200km being exactly where you started afterwards, you say? You are right, but that is pro cycling - and that is how this race always has been. That's enough of an introduction to the introduction, let's talk facts.
I'm offended
Being at the end of this preview now, Lotto should please explain to me, why they sent De Clercq, their second strongest climber. And I'm seriously asking Ollfardh if he wants OPQS to change the asphalt on the roads into cobbles the night before the race.
Emm well he was the only one with a spare raceday
PS; I think this version hasn't been made for PCM, so you should still have a 'flatter' finish on the Kerkewijk instead of the Elsterseberg
Damn, I didn't expect anybody to know the climbs names.. When you said its your home race you really meant you live right there, right? 
But yeah, you're right. unfortunately there is only one version for PCM, the same in PCM13 and PCM14. I looked it up and it seems to be the 2010 edition. That's pretty sad as I have no information on the names of anything throughout the race. Sorry especially for you as you would have known all that stuff. 
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 26-09-2014 13:02
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Grand Tour Champion
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Joined: 04-07-2012
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Lived here for all 16 years of my life
This is the profile?
The last 4 hills should be Grebbeberg - Amerongseberg - Elsterseberg - Paardenveld. The hills in the beginning are in the neighbourhood of Arnhem/Nijmegen
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| Silvio Herklotz |
Posted on 26-09-2014 14:04
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Posts: 1246
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No, in fact its 200,8km (so I though it would be the 2010 one), but looks like this:
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 26-09-2014 14:31
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
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Nope doesn't seem to be the 2010 route, because it definately seems like there are local laps at the profile, which aren't included in the (oficial) roadmap.
And the start/arrival altitude is a complete joke. The highest points here in the region is 69 meters
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| Bikex |
Posted on 26-09-2014 16:04
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Very happy with Löwenherz's performances at the Eneco Tour. A shame he lost a spot in the overall on the last day, but he faught for it seeing as he followed attacks of the big names.
The first stage of Pologne wasn't very successful, but I can't expect much with my squad there, at least Kolobnev showed the colours of Katusha. |
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 28-09-2014 21:16
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Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
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Has the Vuelta taken everyone's attention away from every other race? No reports here for a while :/
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 28-09-2014 21:30
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World Champion
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Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Has the Vuelta taken everyone's attention away from every other race? No reports here for a while :/
everybody is waiting on the Vuelta to finish while it should have been the other way around |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 28-09-2014 21:48
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
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Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Has the Vuelta taken everyone's attention away from every other race? No reports here for a while :/
I don't get it either since my two last Eneco Tour stage reports, for which I hurried up to make room for other races in this week, saw themselves confronted with multiple other reports on the exact same day, and now nothing follows up... 
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 28-09-2014 21:48
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
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SSJ2Luigi wrote:
Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Has the Vuelta taken everyone's attention away from every other race? No reports here for a while :/
everybody is waiting on the Vuelta to finish while it should have been the other way around
Too much pressure on you now then
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 28-09-2014 21:52
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World Champion
Posts: 11971
Joined: 21-07-2012
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Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
SSJ2Luigi wrote:
Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Has the Vuelta taken everyone's attention away from every other race? No reports here for a while :/
everybody is waiting on the Vuelta to finish while it should have been the other way around
Too much pressure on you now then
homework neglecting mode activated |
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| Cycleman123 |
Posted on 29-09-2014 11:23
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Posts: 4478
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Has Burgos happened yet?
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 29-09-2014 11:28
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Joined: 12-06-2013
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Cycleman123 wrote:
Has Burgos happened yet?
No!
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| mvhoogdalem |
Posted on 29-09-2014 13:47
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Posts: 2244
Joined: 30-06-2010
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Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Cycleman123 wrote:
Has Burgos happened yet?
No!
That explains why my team isn't performing in the Vuelta. |
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