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Tour of South China Sea Discussion
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 30-01-2013 17:49
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Tour of South China Sea Preview
February 1, 2013 : Asia C1 :  Hong Kong
12 relatively flat circuits overlooking the South China Sea should not only give the riders some sight-seeing but hopefully an entertaining race for the fans.
The Favourites:
 Danilo Napolitano ( Evian-MIAT) has the target on his back and should be with that huge wage he is getting paid. Plus he is going to be backed up with an excellent sprint train. Evian has to take full reins of this race as Napolitano has the talent and the team to come home with a victory.
 Maxime Vantomme ( Rothaus - Aegon) is going to make Napolitano work for it though, we hope. Many don't know what to expect out of the Belgium after a rough season last year. If he can get his head on straight there is no reason why he can't win this race.
 Mark Cavendish ( AirBaltic - Endura) is a household name that is on par with Vantomme ability wise and should be right in the mix. However it has to be said that without premier lead out man Matt Rowe making the trip to Hong Kong Cavendish is missing a key part in his arsenal.
Peter Kennaugh ( Vueling Airlines) is another Brit looking to start the season off on a high note. He will have to utilize aging Martin Pedersen as a lead out and could very will end up in the thick of things at the finish.
Ivano Lo Cicero ( PFG-Armavia) might be a little to far under the radar for the sprinters above to notice him but the Italian comes in with the scouts raving about his top end speed. The 25 year old will have to show it off at the right moment to surprise the sprinters above, so if it's a short quick sprint I'd put my money on this guy.
The second tier sprinters with an outside chance -
Jacopo Guarnieri ( Vespa-Aprilia Racing)
Kevin Peeters ( Japanese - Korean Cycling Project)
 Yauheni Hutarovich ( Pivovarna Laško)
Emanuele Rizza ( Die Berg Komt Er)
 Michel Kreder ( Swedbank-PEAB)
 Romain Feillu ( Team Bpost)
Full Start List:
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| roturn |
Posted on 30-01-2013 17:56
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Nice. February starting soon. 
Surprised not to see guys like Greipel/Davis here. So a top5 is a must for Vantomme. Actually a top3 is what I want from this race.
Hate that I sent so much sprinter support here as I will surely make a failing sprint train.
Edited by roturn on 30-01-2013 18:03
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| kumazan |
Posted on 30-01-2013 18:00
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Given the opposition my hopes aren't quite high for this race, a top 10 would be good enough. I wonder how much will the hills influence the race, almost 2000m of accumulated height isn't something to ignore.
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| tastasol |
Posted on 30-01-2013 18:02
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Some racing again for Risa - Ergon  My sprinters look weak compared to the others, so I'll have to hope for a breakaway.
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 30-01-2013 18:08
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Wow, I didn't want all the top guns to show up here, but that's life. Due to the hills, I think Lo Cicero would be a bit tired when the final sprint is on, so I don't think he will manage a podium, but I hope to get pleasantly surprised! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 28-11-2024 00:10
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 30-01-2013 18:08
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I really don't know, how this race will end.. will be interesting to see, if some of the sprinters will suffer at those "climbs". All I can hope for is showing our colors in the break and maybe trying an attack with Visconti or Jiao.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 30-01-2013 18:08
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Want a top 3 from Napolitano and three in the top 20. Second here last year, can we go one better? |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 30-01-2013 18:11
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Any hope of picking up a decent result: gone. 
Damn you all for bringing your top sprinters here! 
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 30-01-2013 18:13
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Anything less than a victory will be a major disappointment!
Oh, wait...
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| viking90 |
Posted on 30-01-2013 18:23
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See what Kreder can do here, atleast a top 10 I hope maybe close to top 5, also hope Hushovd tries to sprint so we can get some points from him to.
Edited by viking90 on 30-01-2013 18:24
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| Smowz |
Posted on 30-01-2013 19:06
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Far superior field to the Asian sprint races last year and better looking parcours than a rather strange SCS event in last years CDiv2.
It's a big test for Napo here - just as tough to win as the DUClassic by the looks but the point margins are narrower. Miss the podium and it's a wasted journey. Looking for a surprise follower to be up there as we have seen a little in Qatar.
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| tyriion |
Posted on 30-01-2013 20:05
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Hopefully Gavazzi can upset the field again, although he was at best top 10 on the flatter stages in Australia. So that is our goal really. Maybe my team will shake things up in the break a bit.
Check out my ManGame team here
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 30-01-2013 21:08
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Hoped Guarnieri might have been in with a chance here - on second thoughts, can't really see him or someone like Cavendish having much chance. Going over a short climb with 15.1% gradient, 12 times in 136km going to be too much. Gavazzi may well do something again or like tsmoha says, someone like Visconti. |
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| roturn |
Posted on 30-01-2013 21:16
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15,1% Shit...
Thought it looks harder than it is on the profiles...Should have sent Geschke or even Bellis then instead or not even participating. Now I can only hope for a low pace and Vantomme keeping in the peloton. |
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 30-01-2013 21:20
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The 15.1% is really brief, I doubt it would make much difference, last year the finish was slightly uphill, which made things a bit weird. That has now been changed, so I would be surprised if it wasn't a sprint finish.
 [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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| tsmoha |
Posted on 30-01-2013 21:28
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I would love to see fenian's predictions coming true, but iam not sure. Would be nice if this climbs can make a difference or allow a late attack. Definitely interesting, as it seems not too predictable.
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 30-01-2013 21:36
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It's like 15.1% for 100m or nothing in PCM terms much better last year with the hill finish which would have suited Visconti etc only the sprinters will win this though i feel |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 30-01-2013 21:38
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I sent Sonnery in case the hills are tough. But I doubt it |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 30-01-2013 21:39
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jph27 wrote:
I sent Sonnery in case the hills are tough. But I doubt it
I also have Sohrabi as a small backup as he is a far better in the hills than Lo Cicero
Edited by Bjartne on 30-01-2013 21:40
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| roturn |
Posted on 30-01-2013 21:40
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Well. There is Iglinski...but I doubt he would even participate in any sprint here.
Vantomme just needs to deliver. |
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