|
Rogaland GP Discussion Thread
|
| ember |
Posted on 06-02-2012 11:26
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
|
 Rogaland GP
Norway is next on the Continental Tour. Ringerike GP isn't on the program anymore, but another norwegian race made the cut this season. Rogaland GP is a classic for the sprinters, but as it's held southwest in Norway, strong crosswinds might appear, as most of the final 60 kilometers are raced only a few meters away from the sea.
The race consists of 3 mountain sprints, where the 2nd, "Seldalsbakken," will be the major obstacle. But it's unlikely that the speed bumps on the course will cause splits, that's a task for the crosswind, the riders will need to be very alert to not be caught out, if the wind is strong on race day.
The potential crosswind has not scared the big sprinters in the Continental Tour though! They're all here, led by
 Daniele Bennati who has had an outstanding season so far. He has picked up no less than 338 points so far this year, through big wins in both Mumbai Cyclothons, and a recent win in GP Moscow, where he was absolutely dominant. He has a strong team to serve him here in Norway, and there's no doubt he's the biggest favourite for this race.
 Erik Mohs will be a tough competitor to break for Bennati. His season has been good so far, scoring a couple of big victories in Tour of Qatar, a Pro Tour race held earlier this season. If he can find his sprinter legs, he shouldn't be much slower than Bennati. Probably not slower at all, he definitely has the potential to win this race. And he has got a great team for him, looking at Pokerstars' line up, it's looking like one big train for Mohs, with Degenkolb as the last leadout.
 Mark Cavendish, "The Manx Missile," is one of many strong outsiders. He has been strong so far this season, but not outstanding. His manager has to hope Cavendish finally shows his true potential here in Norway, if he does so, he could very well grab the win.
 Danilo Napolitano is a great Italian sprinter. He's final acceleration is awesome, and definitely something his countryman, Bennati, will need to look out for. If Napolitano is in a position where he can make his final kick on the last meters, he should be a strong contender for the win.
 Thor Hushovd, "The God of Thunder," has prepared himself well for the only race on home soil. He's ready to strike again, question is whether he has the ability to win. But with a enthusiastic home crowd supporting him, he should be top motivated for a great result here. Will the home crowd help him surprise?
There's a lot of other great sprinters to compete for an important win here in Norway.
 Andre Greipel
 Mitchell Docker
 Heinrich Haussler
 Claudio Corioni
are just some of the other great sprinters in the field, all of them are capable of winning this race from a bunch sprint.
The weather forecasts predicts a sunny, but windy race. Will we see a battle between the strong men, or is it, like most experts thinks, going to come down to a big bunch sprint for the win?
Startlist
Spoiler | Puma | | 1. D. Bennati | | 2. J. Bar | | 3. J. Bol | | 4. M. Delage | | 5. E. Gasparotto | | 6. T. Kvist | | 7. G. Meersman | | UniCredit | | 11. D. Napolitano | | 12. W. Bonnet | | 13. A. Borrajo | | 14. M. Lorenzetto | | 15. N. Quintana | | 16. A. Signego | | 17. T. Van der Sande | | Pokerstars | | 21. E. Mohs | | 22. J. Degenkolb | | 23. N. Ingels | | 24. R. Kluge | | 25. M. Maaskant | | 26. N. Terpstra | | 27. K. Van Impe | | Proximus | | 31. M. Cavendish | | 32. M. De Maar | | 33. V. Hacecký | | 34. D. Kopp | | 35. D. Shatskikh | | 36. L. Tommersen | | 37. M. Ulanowski | | Venchi | | 41. C. Corioni | | 42. M. Bodnar | | 43. C. Cominelli | | 44. M. Corti | | 45. P. Haugard | | 46. F. Reda | | 47. D. Viganò | | WWE | | 51. A. Greipel | | 52. L. Didier | | 53. L. Hoste | | 54. F. Jeandesbosz | | 55. J. Keukeleire | | 56. B. Mollema | | 57. T. Voeckler | | Trilux | | 61. H. Haussler | | 62. P. Bercz | | 63. H. Duyn | | 64. S. Forke | | 65. T. Fothen | | 66. R. Weissinger | | 67. R. Zepunkte | | Red Bull | | 71. C. Sutton | | 72. J. Giaux | | 73. A. Hansen | | 74. A. Jelloul | | 75. C. Manarelli | | 76. M. Mori | | 77. M. Priamo | | Saab | | 81. T. Hushovd | | 82. M. Brammeier | | 83. K. Ista | | 84. G. Likhaya | | 85. J. Lindgren | | 86. J. Pronk | | 87. K. Van Hummel | | Tinkoff | | 91. A. Markov | | 92. D. Galimzyanov | | 93. A. Khatuntsev | | 94. P. Korzh | | 95. B. Shpilevski | | 96. A. Timofeev | | 97. N. Trusov | | Cyclevox | | 101. M. Docker | | 102. L. Holohan | | 103. C. McConvey | | 104. E. Oliphant | | 105. C. Opie | | 106. S. Thwaites | | 107. P. Williams | | Meiji | | 111. A. Manan | | 112. F. Beppu | | 113. T. Hayakawa | | 114. K. Itami | | 115. M. Kikuchi | | 116. S. Lagutin | | 117. T. Nishitani | | Bpost | | 121. J. Van Loocke | | 122. M. La Lavandier | | 123. M. La Lavandier | | 124. J. Polanc | | 125. J. Stallaert | | 126. R. Stenuit | | 127. G. Van Keirsbulck | | Vespa | | 131. M. Gavazzi | | 132. N. Arndt | | 133. M. Bono | | 134. G. Bosisio | | 135. D. Garbelli | | 136. M. Kwiatkowski | | 137. E. Luzi | | Aker Solutions | | 141. L. Haedo | | 142. O. Hirschlein | | 143. J. Jørgensen | | 144. L. Nordhaug | | 145. J. Rojas Gil | | 146. A. Roux | | 147. E. Viennet | | Oz | | 151. J. Clarke | | 152. J. Bobridge | | 153. L. Durbridge | | 154. A. Gate | | 155. S. Lewis | | 156. D. McConnell | | 157. G. O'Shea |
|
| |
|
|
| Christer |
Posted on 06-02-2012 11:39
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1414
Joined: 30-09-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Breakaway win for Voeckler would be nice. I also have quite the strong team here, so Greipel has the best help possible.
|
| |
|
|
| felix_29 |
Posted on 06-02-2012 11:41
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
My prediction: Bennati will win again while Haussler once again finisheds outside of the Top10. I definatly need a better sprinter next season.
|
| |
|
|
| CountArach |
Posted on 06-02-2012 11:46
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8290
Joined: 14-07-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
felix_29 wrote:
My prediction: Bennati will win again while Haussler once again finisheds outside of the Top10. I definatly need a better sprinter next season.
Replace Haussler with Van Loocke and you have my thoughts too.
Vantomme, I'm looking at you.
|
| |
|
|
| roturn |
Posted on 06-02-2012 12:18
|
Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
|
Oh dear...
Is it the 4th or 5th sprinter classic, where I miss Vantomme at the line???
What was I thinking? With high pointers by Vantomme I would have even chances on a top 10 team standing. So he first has to grab small points. 
|
| |
|
|
| beagle |
Posted on 06-02-2012 14:27
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4200
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
roturn wrote:
What was I thinking? With high pointers by Vantomme I would have even chances on a top 10 team standing. So he first has to grab small points.
good to see not only me doing hardly understandable things during planning
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
|
| |
|
|
| cio93 |
Posted on 06-02-2012 14:46
|
World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
|
Some strong competition here...
I guess it will be all about positioning. At first in the last 50 km to prevent us being behind in a split (Bennati fell off too often already), and then finding the right wheel for the sprint will be crucial in this tough field. Theoretically, I sent the right support riders here.
I hope Bennati's good secondary stats will help him, although I would be quite happy with a podium as well.
|
| |
|
|
| Smowz |
Posted on 06-02-2012 16:02
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6479
Joined: 09-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
Hmmm, if the conditions are windy that tends to give people sprinting from behind an advantage.
Also the parcours suggest a good rouler would have a chance of nipping away, not too many though here that are not in support of a decent sprinter.
Looking at my own squad I really am a long shot of either a surprising sprint performance with Sutton or Giaux or some kind of break.
|
| |
|
|
| viking90 |
Posted on 06-02-2012 16:02
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
Heey everybody be gentleman and let Hushovd win in his homecountry, deal? 
Btw this is our 3rd goal for this season, another fail? |
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 03:35
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| CountArach |
Posted on 09-02-2012 12:28
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8290
Joined: 14-07-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
That was literally the most bizarre race of the season. The winner makes sense, but the way that he got there... just bizarrre.
Also: 1 rider in the top 30! Wooo!
|
| |
|
|
| felix_29 |
Posted on 09-02-2012 12:40
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
After some bad races i'm back on the right track. Second behind Bennati is almost as good as winning
|
| |
|
|
| cio93 |
Posted on 09-02-2012 13:15
|
World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
|
Puh. What an exciting race full of surprises. Lots of attacks I wouldn't have expected.
Certainly a great team effort there, that's exactly what I signed these riders for. It was a very difficult task to control this race.
Luckily, Bennati was neither affected by the crash nor spent his energy way before the sprint as many others did.
In the end, a fine win again, although well contested by Haussler and Markov, congratulations to Trilux and Tinkoff for their great results.
|
| |
|
|
| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 09-02-2012 13:23
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
A really bad outcome for our team. Had expected much better results. Some pretty stupid attacking by Corioni! 
|
| |
|
|
| Christer |
Posted on 09-02-2012 14:43
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1414
Joined: 30-09-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Well. Top ten is good enough, but surprised to see it coming from Voeckler. Greipel was riding horribly and that's why he crashed.
|
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 09-02-2012 14:55
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
|
CountArach wrote:
That was literally the most bizarre race of the season. The winner makes sense, but the way that he got there... just bizarrre.
It was a crazy race to run, indeed.
I was quite lucky, 12th and 15th with Haedo and Roux in a flat classic were good. Though, Roux must have been my "captain," that's the only reason I can come up with for sending Jørgensen in the breakaway and letting Haedo lead out Roux for the sprint. That doesn't bode well for Philadelphia, were all 3 will be racing together again.
But at least I've learned that for next season, a simple solution should be to buy a stronger sprinter |
| |
|
|
| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 09-02-2012 17:47
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4790
Joined: 06-12-2006
PCM$: 200.00
|
Grabbed some points - I'm pleased. Would rather have seen Bono or Garbelli in the break/attacking though. |
| |
|
|
| Smowz |
Posted on 09-02-2012 18:57
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6479
Joined: 09-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
Deservedly nowhere near the action in this race from Red Bull.
Very exciting race, another win from Bennati, who like Alarcon is proving a real great buy for one of the new guns. I wasn't sure splashing out such a lot of money on a sprinter would pay off but credit to the Puma team, Bennati has been brilliant in this sort of race.
He is short odds for Berlin on this evidence.
|
| |
|
|
| viking90 |
Posted on 12-02-2012 15:14
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
That wasn´t fun at all... |
| |
|
