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Volta Catalunya 2012
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 18-03-2012 11:29
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Volta Catalunya 2012 Route
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4 :
Stage 5 :
Stage 6
Stage 7
Starlist
Favourites :
* Valverde, Wiggins/Uran, Cunego
** Menchov, D.Martin, Sanchez, Basso
*** Brajkovic, Leipheimer, Gesink, A.Schleck/Machado
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| Batista15 |
Posted on 18-03-2012 11:31
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Wow, there´s a quite strong peloton there. As always the route seems pretty hard with some heavy climbs. Looking forward to some nice stages. Thanks for posting the route! |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 18-03-2012 11:34
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A really odd course with lots of downhill finishes. With Valverde's form it is hard to go past him. Euskaltel really need a win soon and they have a great team here, so either Sanchez or Nieve might try something. Nieve is building towards the Giro, so this could be a first good step.
Wiggins doesn't really stand a chance without a TT, so I'd give up on that one now 
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| kumazan |
Posted on 18-03-2012 11:43
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Wiggins said he was going to work for a team mate (didn't dais for whom, although I'd guess Urán) here, so he definitely shouldn't be up there.
This route is so much better than last year's, I hope Gesink keeps showing some progress with his form.
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 18-03-2012 12:04
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Cunego is my bet. He was pretty decent in Paris-Nice and MSR.
Either way, it's an interesting route. Port Ainé will be great!
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| ruben |
Posted on 18-03-2012 12:13
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Cunego lacks the pure climbing skill to win this race. I mean even in PN he was dropped by the best 5 and htat was only 3km uphill (which normally suits him more than 10km uphill) |
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 18-03-2012 12:15
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Taaramäe anounced that he will not start. but did not give a reason. I believe still health problems. They started before Paris-Nice |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 18-03-2012 12:26
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ruben wrote:
Cunego lacks the pure climbing skill to win this race. I mean even in PN he was dropped by the best 5 and htat was only 3km uphill (which normally suits him more than 10km uphill)
True. On the other hand, my statement was based on gut feeling rather than facts. I think he can surprise.
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| Roman |
Posted on 18-03-2012 12:36
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Eurosport International is showing Tour of Catalunya live this year, so it's even better to see an interesting course like this. 
Valverde is the man to beat here, he will surely want to win overall. Cunego and Leipheimer are going to be solid as well IMO.
Anyway, I think there should be a bet in Fantasy Betting if Andy Schleck will or will not finish this race. That will be another interesting thing to watch. 
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 18-03-2012 13:04
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kumazan wrote:
Wiggins said he was going to work for a team mate (didn't dais for whom, although I'd guess Urán) here, so he definitely shouldn't be up there.
This route is so much better than last year's, I hope Gesink keeps showing some progress with his form.
Indeed, Uran said he targets Volta/Ardennes/Tour/Lombardia this year, I put Wiggins purely for the fact Uran gets sick often and so they have a co-leader if Uran didn't feel great etc. Hoping for Uran to do well though.
Edited by Alakagom on 18-03-2012 13:04
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 18-03-2012 13:26
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Wiggins and Leipheimer don't stand a chance without a T, and these climbs are too much for Leipheimer anyway. Cunego isn't great on the massve, longer climbs, and isn't on great form (at least in Paris-Nice.
Andy Schleck can't win. He didn't even finish a couple of PN stages before abandoning.
Basso hasn't looked good this year.
Gesink and Sanchez should do well, but they're not either my favorite.
Menchov and Brajkovic might do decent, but I don't know about form.
Martin is fitted for this kind of race, but his form is in question
Valverde is my favorite to win. The course fits him, and he has been in terrific shape all year.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 18-03-2012 13:53
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I think that Van Garderen or S.Sanchez will surprise. Don't know if Sanchez is in form though. Brajkovic should do quite well also.
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"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 18-03-2012 23:31
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Van Garderen should have a good race as well. I don't know how well these extreme mountains will suit him though. He wasn't much in the tour last year, and these climbs are harder. But then again, Tejay has progressed a lot since then.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 19-03-2012 06:23
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I doubt Van Garderen will challenge the best. He struggles too much on the serious climbs I think. He could surprise me though.
But for me this is still Cunego's race, with Dan Martin on the podium.
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| Kiserlovski |
Posted on 19-03-2012 07:35
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I hope Chris Horner could win this race
''Shoot for the moon even if you miss it you will land among the stars''
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 19-03-2012 07:58
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Kiserlovski wrote:
I hope Chris Horner could win this race
He is not in the startlist i think
For me Valverde, Cunego, Uran as the favourites and looking forward to what Sanchéz and Gesink can do.
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 19-03-2012 08:55
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Horner confirmed he isn't participating. Sky also registered with 6 riders which would hinder Uran chances. Both Rogers and Pate not registered, but dunno what's going to happen. Sky squad is very thin now, with 3 ridres on track training and Dowsett and Flecha injured for the semi classics this weekend.
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| Ste117 |
Posted on 19-03-2012 12:14
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Valverde is already showing why he is my favourite rider by riding races all year round and not focussing on one race.
So far 2nd at TDU, 3rd at Paris Nice and now participating at Catalunya and going for the win.
Unlike Schleck, Valverde comes to every race he participates in to win, like Schleck initially used Paris Nice for fitness, Valverde doesn't. It would be easy for him to do so but it's not his mentality. I hope Valverde wins here, he is having a dream comeback 
MG Team manager Team Ticos Air Costa Rica
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| Guido Mukk |
Posted on 19-03-2012 12:17
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And we have also reason for Taaramäe "untergang"..after Andalucia..
mononucleosis. |
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| ember |
Posted on 19-03-2012 12:29
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Ouch, that's not good at all. Hopefully he will recover, and come back next season. But it looks more and more like Taaramäe is a talent that will never be able to show his real potential, which is a shame, I love to see him ride, attacking everywhere.
Edited by ember on 19-03-2012 12:32
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