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Scandinavia Open Road Race Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 19-03-2013 15:09
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11819
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PCM$: 300.00
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We're heading for Scandanavia, or Sweden in particular, where the Open Road Race makes it's comeback in the ManGame.
Back in 2011 the race was held as Scandinavian Race Uppsala and as part of the Continental Division, it was held as a flat classic. Tomas Vaitkus took the win with a late attack, beating sprinters like Hushovd (3rd), Cavendish (4th), Ciolek (8th) or Goss (14th).
In 2013, the race is back in Continental Tour, but the profile has changed to hilly now. So neither Vaitkaus nor Cavendish did even consider to enter this race (well, at least we think so).
So it's a perfect race for a great battle between the PCT/CT's best puncheurs, as the riders face a tough route: 214km in total, from Boras to Huskvarna. And the final hilly circuit, featuring the "Norra Klevaliden" (4.5km, 11% max), which has to be climbed 12 times. The short climb ain't too brutal with an average gradient of only 3.9%, but 29 climbing km in total should hurt some legs.
Startlist/
The favorites/
Credit where credit is due: Gisborne GP-winner  Francesco Ginanni and GP di Lugano-winner  Aleksandar Flügel should be named as the top-favorites first. Both proved to be reliable top-class puncheurs and took important wins for their teams late in February.
While their biggest contenders in this races (Efimkin in Gisborne, Bellis in Lugano) ain't here, the startlist is still impressive behind the two mentioned:
 Nicolas Roche has something to make good for his rather disappointing 5th place in Gisborne. The Irishman is definitely one of the strongest puncheurs in this division, so his goal has to be a win here.
Same goes for  Chris Froome, who already finished on podium (3rd) in Gisborne and proved to be high-quality. Teammate Alex Dowsett (who disappointed in Lugano) may be a key factor, as he can either support Froome or go on his own.
German veteran  Patrik Sinkewitz is yet another favorite, who wants to better than in Gisborne (8th). This time, he's joined by teammate Maurice Schreurs: definitely a dangerous duo.
 Alexandr Kolobnev will try to repeat his Lugano-podium. Tinkoff is a real threat so far this season, so you better expect him to be aggressive.
The list of "recovering losses" continues with both  Johnny Hoogerland (17th in Lugano, 21st Strade Bianche) and  Cyril Gautier (16th Lugano, 12th Strade). Especially Gautier was invisible for most of the action in Switzerland, so he needs to change tactics to not founder in the bunch. Hoogerland has decent support in Ben Hermans, who took a rather surprising 2nd place in Strade Bianche earlier this month.
Two Germans expand the list of favorites:  Fabian Wegmann and  Simon Geschke, who gets a change to lead Rothaus in a hilly classic. While Wegmann has the needed fighting skills, Thuringen Rundfahrt's multiple stage-winner Geschke has the speed to go for a great result when it comes to a bunch-sprint.
 Hollister once again did nominate Alessandro Proni and Carlos Betancourt, a strong duo. Betancourt showed some aggressive racing in Lugano, eventually finishing 12th though.
All of the 8 (!) other teams retain outside chances only, while some notable names are worth a mention:  Mauro Santambrogio, local hero  Alexander Gingsjo or  Francesco Failli. Still, none of those will seriously think of finishing within Top-10, as even some domestiques of the mentioned top-favorites look stronger, e.g. Timothy Duggan, Matthias Kessler, Ilnur Zakarin or Martin Reimer. |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 19-03-2013 15:18
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World Champion
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Somehow completely missed this race when planning my season, even though I made it myself. 
Might've been a good thing though, as Efimkin would've had some tough competition.
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| roturn |
Posted on 19-03-2013 15:33
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Team Manager
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I think it`s too hilly for Geschke. Top 15 and I am happy. |
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| ANFreeman |
Posted on 19-03-2013 15:36
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Protected Rider
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So neither Vaitkus nor Cavendish did even consider to enter this race (well, at least we think so).
I can confirm this  Should be an exciting one, this, but watching the hilly races only highlights my team's significant lack of a decent puncheur.
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| viking90 |
Posted on 19-03-2013 16:00
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
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Top 5 goal for us... It wont be easy but hope we can achieve it anyway. |
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 19-03-2013 16:17
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 29989
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1-2 for Sinkewitz and Schreurs |
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| Firefly21 |
Posted on 19-03-2013 16:19
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Domestique
Posts: 506
Joined: 15-09-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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*Looks at startlist*
.......well I'd be happy with 1 point from this race.
*prepares to be disappointed*
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 20-03-2013 00:56
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8057
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If Barrio stays in the lead group I'll be happy. 
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 20-03-2013 05:55
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World Champion
Posts: 14236
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Hilly classic, so without Metinvest. I am really glad i avoided such a races, looking at the startlist and our puncher squad.
Good luck to all, looking forward to interesting race report.
Ginanni is obvious favourite.
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 20-03-2013 06:07
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
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Atleast I know the report will be exciting. Hoping for a Top....50
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| tastasol |
Posted on 20-03-2013 06:31
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Classics Specialist
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Hoping for a decent result with my local hero, Michael Olsson.
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| Heine |
Posted on 20-03-2013 07:04
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4116
Joined: 08-04-2007
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Hopeing for a victory from Flügel, but wouldn't complain about a top 3 either, also Kessler could hopefully sneak into the top 10. Would make this race great
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 20-03-2013 21:44
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4790
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Hope we get a battle between the favourites. And Ginanni wins of course. |
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| MrOBJ |
Posted on 21-03-2013 09:50
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Stagiare
Posts: 187
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Gingsjo is going for a home victory, or not! It´s a tough startlist, so any points are welcome! |
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| CountArach |
Posted on 21-03-2013 15:35
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8290
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I'm hoping for a top 5 with Gautier but I'd accept a top 10 result. Anything less than that would be disappointing.
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| roturn |
Posted on 22-03-2013 17:02
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
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Well this was nothing...
Great report and congrats to Jaguar.
Seeing who finished after the 10th I think Geschke should have reached something between 10th and 20th today but the game obviously sees him as pure sprinter...
At least Tendero was trying to join the breakway. He is having a good season so far. Also nice attempt by future Italian puncheur Villella, who is having a nice season for Kappa-ENI. A great team to ride for this year it seems. |
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 22-03-2013 17:04
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World Champion
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Don't worry Roturn. During this season,we all have to go through PCM 2012 ridicilouness. |
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 22-03-2013 17:12
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World Champion
Posts: 10891
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Miguel98 wrote:
Don't worry Roturn. During this season,we all have to go through PCM 2012 ridicilouness.
This is a game. What do you expect? I don't get the constant complaining, you get screwed from time to time, but doesn't that happen in real life too ? As well you get some luck too.
There has to be a bit of unpredictably. Yeah, game isn't brilliant but complaining every single race is just meh...
* Not directed at anyone particularly*
Edited by Alakagom on 22-03-2013 17:13
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| roturn |
Posted on 22-03-2013 17:21
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
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Not complaining about this game. Can live with that. Just had hoped for more than a 0 pointer. ^^
Have expected a 0 pointer in some cobbled races. But have hoped to get at least a few points in all other races.
I believe I could have planned a bit better by participating in 3-4 C2 races instead of participating with weak squads in C1 races.
But I surely can`t complain at all how the season went so far. Very successful in general. |
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 22-03-2013 17:48
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11819
Joined: 19-07-2010
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Alakagom wrote:
This is a game. What do you expect? I don't get the constant complaining, you get screwed from time to time, but doesn't that happen in real life too ? As well you get some luck too.
There has to be a bit of unpredictably. Yeah, game isn't brilliant but complaining every single race is just meh...
* Not directed at anyone particularly*
So true especially as this race played out very well!
@roturn: indeed disappointing Geschke here. Tbh, i don't remember his race he had here, but the early attacks in finish-climb were of course too powerful. But hey, Geschke was in Thüringen, that's all we need to remember
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