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Classique du Grand-Duché discussion thread
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| Smowz |
Posted on 08-04-2012 08:56
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We interrupt the stage races temporarily for our pre tour hilly classic in Luxembourg. It's a race that is certainly developing a reputation of its own following an exciting 2011 inaugural edition won by Yuri Trofimov . It's course full of hills that can be broken up into three key sections.
This first section of three hills will start to soften the legs of the pack, it would be expected a break of the day will have formed or at least be formed in these hills following the valley roads leading into them.
This second section will start to reduce the pack as they prepare for the finale, the opening climb is pretty vicious, but the lengthy plataeu on the second to last climb in this section gives a chance for the pack to form up in anticipation of the final section of tough climbs.
The final section of six climbs will decide the race, we open with a short climb immediately followed by a slightly longer one with a short plateau section. The third and the fourth climb will really hurt the riders both are about 3km and are steep. There really isn't any flat so risks will have to be taken on descents if dropped riders are to come back. We finish on a 2km steep climb that timing of the sprint will be crucial as it is in the Fleche Wallonie.
The Contenders
 Frank Schleck
Winner of the Tirrano Adriatico and completing his Liege-Bastogne-Liege Frank Schleck went on to compete and finish 4th in the Giro D'Italia this year. At 32 years old knows that his chances of winning his home classic really rest on this year's performance as it will get harder in the future. Left it too late last year with Trofimov and Sinkewitz breaking away before the final climb. He cannot respond to every attack, so will probably want it to come back together - has a strong team here to make sure things come to a true run race.
 Jan Bakelants
Pearl Adidas look like they are going to try and push Vesuvio as hard as they can this year and their true star man is young Belgian Bakelandts who is having his breakout year. Has taken stages at Tirrano Adriatico and the Tour of the Basque Country but must be starting to get sick of standing on the runners up podium this year. His run of runners up positions include the Amstal Gold, L-B-L, Tirrano-Adriatico and the Tour of the Basque country. It's going to be tough to beat Schleck going toe to toe in Schlecks home country, has the strength to challenge if he can get the wiggle room can he find the right tactic?
 Yuri Trofimov
Won this race last year, but is not quite having the same season this year despite a decent win at the Paris Nice which pretty much sums up Sony Ericsson also. Trofimov does remain their best hope of a big success but an Ardennes season that saw his best result a 3rd place at the Amstal Gold confidence is not that high that the Russian can repeat. This may though afford Trofimov more room for an earlier move such as the ones that have allowed him to do so well in 2011.
 Philippe Gilbert
Took the Amstal Gold this year and was the early leader in the Tirrano Adriatico. We can acknowledge that Gilbert is not necessarily the best out and out punchaer in the Protour, but following years of gaining tactical nous on the CTour circuit does know how to win races. The lack of any sort of flat sections in the run in does count against Gilbert, but should not be counted out.
 Diego Ulissi
The surprise Milan San Remo winner was only able to break into the top ten once during the Ardennes, but Festina are just beginning to come back into some sort of form with two recent runner up positions in stage races. Have that double threat with Pozzato also, so can play more tactical cards than most not that this worked out for them in the Ardennes.
 Patrik Sinkewitz
Sinkewitz was runner up here last year, but has been central to Team Spyker Cars' troubles this season simply being unable to live with the increased quality that other teams have possessed. Pretty anonymous through the Ardennes and in the hilly stage race he has participated in. Did pretty well in the hilly races in the latter half of last season and his new team really needs him to do something decent again this time out.
 Robert Gesink
The Grand Tour chicken is probably best suited to the hilly/mountain stage races where he has taken the Tour of the Basque country and came runner up to Trofimov at the Paris Nice. Could only squeak into the top ten at a couple of the Ardennes, but to be fair Jack Wolfskin played a different and highly successful tactic at the Fleche Wallonie. The tougher circuit here in Luxembourg may just play into the stage racers type of qualities though so Geskin could play a better role here.
 Simone Ponzi
Decent at his home stage race the Tirrano Adriatico and popped up with a fine stage win a Murcia, the young Italian has not quite been able to live with the big boys when it comes to the big classics. The sort of rider who can win from a small group but probably will not be able to hold onto the big guns on a uphill finish. Needs to like Bakelandts look for the right time to attack, can he find that moment here?
 Stefan Schumacher
Is having a decent season, winning a stage at the Basque Tour and coming 3rd to Schleck at L-B-L. Has the ability to survive a selection and make the decisive attack also, so comes in that dangerous dark horse category. Came closest at his home Rund um Koln race, which probably suits his characteristics more than this tougher finale. Still a decent outside podium shout.
 Edvald Boasson Hagen
Has had a horrible season in the hilly stage races, but has not been too bad in the classics finishing on the podium at the Rund um Koln. Was first of the big contenders in at the Fleche Wallonie, so on his day can climb small hills just as fast as anybody. Perhaps the increase in the quality of the punchaers this season has been the explanation why the young Norwegian has been a little way off this year or perhaps it is just an unlucky year - cannot be ruled out here though.
 Tejay Van Garderen
The curse of the rainbow jersey seems to evident in the American rider, who has a string of top tens but not a lot more to show for his season carrying around the world champions jersey. Seems to be weighing heavily on his shoulders, with less attacks than we have seen in the past born perhaps out of greater sense of responsibility placed on him by his weakened team. Still you expect TvG to try something in the latter half of the season to show what he can do.
The outside bets for glory in this race are lead by  Aleksandr Efimkinwho had a terrific Tour of Romadie following a pretty dismal Ardennes campaign.  Andrei Kashechkin may find the tough hills to his liking, whereas the fading  Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver will be hoping to get away before the finale as will  Guillaume Levarlet. Our wildcard team are led by the on loan  Ben Hermans and Dutch powerhouse Lars Boom.
Meanwhile Bacardi, Cafe de Colombia and Santander seem to be making up the numbers here.
Startlist
Spoiler Vesuvio
1. F. Schleck
2. C. Betancourt
3. S. Einsle
4. B. Gastauer
5. J. Hoogerland
6. M. Iglinski
7. D. Mehr-Wenige
8. M. Paterski
Pearl
11. J. Bakelants
12. E. Berthou
13. J. Guarnieri
14. T. Leezer
15. J. Mendes
16. E. Popov
17. M. Richeze
18. J. Vastaranta
UBS
21. S. Schumacher
22. M. Albasini
23. S. Barrio
24. R. Bertogliati
25. K. Lalouette
26. D. Lelay
27. J. Tschopp
28. S. Zahner
B&O
31. E. Hagen
32. M. Christensen
33. J. Drucker
34. R. Guldhammer
35. C. Jørgensen
36. K. Nielsen
37. T. Riber-Sellebjerg
38. J. Sagan
Sony
41. Y. Trofimov
42. S. Anza
43. L. Fernández Oliveira
44. K. Fouquet
45. D. Muravjev
46. M. Reihs
47. A. Wetterhall
48. R. van der Hugenhaben
Festina
51. D. Ulissi
52. L. Bøchman
53. D. Drapac
54. J. Ljungblad
55. F. Pozzato
56. V. Reynès
57. G. Steurs
58. P. Voss
Pendleton's
61. P. Gilbert
62. R. Downing
63. S. Duret
64. M. Ladagnous
65. R. Margaliot
66. J. McEvoy
67. P. Mertens
68. A. Moletta
Wiggle
71. S. Ponzi
72. L. Bertagnolli
73. G. Bole
74. D. Caruso
75. T. Diggle
76. R. Nocentini
77. M. Pavarin
78. T. Zaini
Jack Wolfskin
81. R. Gesink
82. S. Chavanel
83. B. Giling
84. W. Jallays
85. P. Martens
86. W. Poels
87. K. Sys
88. K. Vandewalle
Spyker
91. P. Sinkewitz
92. N. Edet
93. A. Geniez
94. B. Kadri
95. M. Schreurs
96. A. Vichot
97. E. Weiss
98. A. Zeits
Wikipedia
101. T. Van Garderen
102. D. Atapuma
103. R. Cleaver
104. E. King
105. G. Lejman
106. T. Pinot
107. A. Semple
108. T. Vangheel
Milka
111. A. Efimkin
112. A. Delaplace
113. A. Honkisz
114. Y. Nepomnyachsniy
115. R. Porte
116. T. Rohregger
117. Z. Stybar
118. M. Vysna
Nestlé
121. J. Rodriguez Oliver
122. H. Broco
123. D. Di Luca
124. P. Fédrigo
125. D. Loosli
126. M. Machado
127. N. Portal
128. D. Vitoria
Webeffect
131. A. Kashechkin
132. G. Brizuela
133. A. Gilanipoor
134. B. Khalilikhosroshani
135. L. Mas
136. A. Mironov
137. C. Schmieg
138. R. Zingle
Rothaus
141. B. Hermans
142. J. Ariesen
143. L. Boom
144. R. Hesjedal
145. T. Koep
146. A. Krieger
147. A. Kunitski
148. R. Ruijgh
Carmeuse
151. G. Levarlet
152. A. Aulas
153. R. Di Gregorio
154. J. El Fares
155. T. Gallopin
156. C. Lhotellerie
157. J. Libert
158. S. Vandousselaere
Bacardi
161. M. Perget
162. T. Butterfield
163. J. Kocjan
164. S. Kondrotas
165. A. Kruopis
166. S. Mancuso
167. M. Mugerli
168. E. Sokolov
Colombia
171. J. Baños Ballester
172. J. Arango
173. S. Ivars
174. S. Joly
175. H. Machado
176. E. Orozco
177. M. Rubiano Chavez
178. J. Tendero
Santander
181. F. Echarri
182. D. Allonca
183. A. Durán
184. I. Erviti
185. A. Galdos
186. J. Gallego Martin
187. J. Rienda Segura
188. R. Serrano
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 08-04-2012 09:17
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The course is probably a bit too attritional for Gilbert but a healthy little pointscore would be a nice of keeping the board ticking over here.
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 08-04-2012 10:32
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A top 5 for Gesink would be good.
And hopefully between this race and Le Tour we will see some rankings updates. 
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 08-04-2012 15:55
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I have almost nothing in this race, it's all about the tour now for me.
 [url=www.pcmdaily.com/forum/viewthread.php?thread_id=33182] Team Santander Media Thread[/url]
Please assume I am joking unless otherwise stated |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 08-04-2012 15:59
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The toughness of the closing stages should make this race a good one. Go go Frank!
52 riders will go from here to the Tour
Spoiler | Mathieu | Perget | FRA | Bacardi - Ignis | | Edwin | Orozco | COL | Café de Colombia | | José Antonio | Baños Ballester | ESP | Café de Colombia | | Juan Esteban | Arango | COL | Café de Colombia | | Miguel Angel | Rubiano Chavez | COL | Café de Colombia | | Sébastien | Ivars | FRA | Café de Colombia | | Jude | Libert | BEL | Carmeuse - Bouygues Telecom | | Julien | El Fares | FRA | Carmeuse - Bouygues Telecom | | Rémy | Di Gregorio | FRA | Carmeuse - Bouygues Telecom | | Damion | Drapac | AUS | Festina - Conec | | Geert | Steurs | BEL | Festina - Conec | | Vicente | Reynès | ESP | Festina - Conec | | Paul | Martens | GER | Jack Wolfskin | | Sylvain | Chavanel | FRA | Jack Wolfskin | | Yevgeni | Nepomnyachsniy | KAZ | Milka - Vittel | | Danilo | Di Luca | ITA | Nestlé Cycling Team | | David | Vitoria | SWI | Nestlé Cycling Team | | Joaquin | Rodriguez Oliver | ESP | Nestlé Cycling Team | | Eric | Berthou | FRA | Pearl Adidas | | Jacopo | Guarnieri | ITA | Pearl Adidas | | Jukka | Vastaranta | FIN | Pearl Adidas | | Matthieu | Ladagnous | FRA | Pendleton's Twicer | | Ran | Margaliot | ISR | Pendleton's Twicer | | Sébastien | Duret | FRA | Pendleton's Twicer | | Aitor | Galdos | ESP | Santander | | Juan Carlos | Rienda Segura | ESP | Santander | | Rafael | Serrano | ESP | Santander | | Dmitri | Muravjev | KAZ | Sony Ericsson | | Luis | Fernández Oliveira | ESP | Sony Ericsson | | Michael | Reihs | DEN | Sony Ericsson | | Robin | van der Hugenhaben | NED | Sony Ericsson | | Yuri | Trofimov | RUS | Sony Ericsson | | Andrey | Zeits | KAZ | Spyker Cars | | Rasmus | Guldhammer | DEN | Team B&O | | Thomas | Riber-Sellebjerg | DEN | Team B&O | | Johann | Tschopp | SWI | UBS - La Pierre | | Kévin | Lalouette | FRA | UBS - La Pierre | | Michael | Albasini | SWI | UBS - La Pierre | | Simon | Zahner | SWI | UBS - La Pierre | | Ben | Gastauer | LUX | Vesuvio-Accumalux | | Carlos | Betancourt | COL | Vesuvio-Accumalux | | Dietmar | Mehr-Wenige | GER | Vesuvio-Accumalux | | Johnny | Hoogerland | NED | Vesuvio-Accumalux | | Maciej | Paterski | POL | Vesuvio-Accumalux | | Abolfazl | Gilanipoor | IRN | Webeffect | | Aleksandr | Mironov | RUS | Webeffect | | Andrei | Kashechkin | KAZ | Webeffect | | Behnam | Khalilikhosroshani | IRN | Webeffect | | Gabriel | Brizuela | ARG | Webeffect | | Damiano | Caruso | ITA | Wiggle - San Pellegrino | | Richard | Cleaver | GBR | Wikipedia | | Thibaut | Pinot | FRA | Wikipedia |
Edited by SportingNonsense on 08-04-2012 15:59
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| SotD |
Posted on 08-04-2012 16:59
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Hoping for some attacks from my guys. No way in hell are we going to get anything better than a low top 10 from this race elseway.
We have been bad, really bad, in the hilly one-day races so far. Only the Milano - San Remo has been good for us, so we are hoping for mass destruction attacks. I'm hoping that either Pozzato or Ulissi will be going from quite some way out.
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| p3druh |
Posted on 08-04-2012 19:07
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Freaking Schleck always going to the same races as Bakelants. Gotta get a restraining order on him or Bakelants might just end the season without a single win.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 07-12-2025 15:13
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 08-04-2012 19:11
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p3druh wrote:
Freaking Schleck always going to the same races as Bakelants. Gotta get a restraining order on him or Bakelants might just end the season without a single win.
By my reckoning its currently 3 wins each, aswell as 13 race day points that Bakelandts has had without Schleck as competition 
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| p3druh |
Posted on 08-04-2012 19:24
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SportingNonsense wrote:
p3druh wrote:
Freaking Schleck always going to the same races as Bakelants. Gotta get a restraining order on him or Bakelants might just end the season without a single win.
By my reckoning its currently 3 wins each, aswell as 13 race day points that Bakelandts has had without Schleck as competition
I meant classics or stage races that he has decent shot at aka Tirreno. We all know stage wins are peanuts
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 08-04-2012 19:27
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Youd best hope Bakelandts doesnt mess up in the Irish stage race then 
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| p3druh |
Posted on 08-04-2012 19:36
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Awesome!
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| dave92 |
Posted on 08-04-2012 19:51
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Hoping for a top ten from Van Garderen, not an ideal profile for him though
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| roturn |
Posted on 08-04-2012 20:46
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Hope for a nice ride by my team in his first ever PT experience. Not the best guys for it but maybe a mid stage attack or top20 would be nice.
Imo this is a better race than the Ardennes.  |
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| Roman |
Posted on 08-04-2012 21:12
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Le Tour is coming...
Anyway, it's all about Efimkin in this race, at least for my team. A top 10 result would be great..
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| CountArach |
Posted on 09-04-2012 12:55
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That's a really tough line-up. Should be a great race.
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 09-04-2012 13:05
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Smowz wrote:Meanwhile Bacardi, Cafe de Colombia and Santander seem to be making up the numbers here.
We're here to put all our riders in a break.... |
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 09-04-2012 17:23
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Not much faith in Sinkewitz, but I have to hope for a good result... |
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 09-04-2012 21:46
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Last in the group sprint...Bad Gilbert.
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| p3druh |
Posted on 09-04-2012 21:51
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What a refreshing result
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 09-04-2012 21:51
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The team looked strong throughout, but the finale is always very nevy - especially when Bakelandts of all people went solo so late.
Very pleased with that though. The race I most wanted to win - not just because it was my Win goal. I should actually get 5/5 goals now, looking at it Currently 3/3, with Overall Top 5 and Lombardia Top 10 being very achievable.
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