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Surprise Rider of the Spring
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:06
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As the spring season comes to close, we had fair few of greatly surprising rides during last months. But who do you think was the Surprise Rider of the Spring ?
Stijn Vanderbergh - A domestique that in 2013 has been the powerhouse on cobbles. He showed himself in Omloop with 2nd place there and has been great from there on. If not the crash, he would likely have made Top 5 in Paris Robuaix. He lacks in certain aspects, but when he hit the cobbles, he was one of the best this season.
Zdenek Stybar - He didn't show much until Robuaix, however he was a great domestique to that point during classics. During Roubaix he was the only rider to follow Cancellara's last attacks outright, a crash late on spoiled what could have been a debut win at biggest classic in cycling.
Michal Kwiatkowski - Kwiatkowski began the season with strong results in San Luis and Algarve and surprised everyone with massive performance in Tirreno which earned him 4th spot overall. He then rode the classics and showed true class at Ronde. That wasn't his final say in his campaign, he made Top 5 in both Amstel Gold Race and Fleche proving what a immense talent he is.
Alexander Kristoff - Alex has really improved last year already, but took it notch further this year. Top 10 in Milano SanRemo in horrendous conditions shown he's great form. He rode very strong Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde, and impressed with Top 5 at Ronde van Vlaanderen. He then continued and finished his campaign off with very impressive 9th at Paris - Roubaix.
Daniel Martin - Is he such a big surprise ? Maybe not. But he took it up a notch it has to be said, and make himself a name to fear in classics to come. His great win at Volta shown his impressive form, he should have very liekly won Fleche Wallone if not his positioning, however he took his biggest win yet, today, at Liège - Bastogne - Liège.
Mauro Santambrogio - Santa left BMC for Vini, and it has done him good. He started with impressive results in January and Febrruary and topped it off with terrific 7th at Tirreno, at Prati di Tivo he stunned by coming 2nd to only Froome. Taking a break, he returned this week at Giro del Trentino, and finished 2nd in GC, proving Tirreno wasn't a fluke. He might be the big surprise of the Giro if he can continue this form.
Bryan Coquard - His big debut on road, neo - pro at Europcar. Already 4 impressive wins and mixing with the best. Did I say he was only 20 as well ? Finished 16th at Gent - Wevelgem, his first big classic. Europcar has a future star in him.
Damien Guadin - Well, he certainly surprised everyone with his prologue win at Paris Nice, not many expected that. He then took impressive win at GP Cholet - Pays De Loire. Former Paris Roubaix U23 winner, came to the pro race as outsider, but he proved to be one of the best in the race, his many attacks earned him many fans, still he took magnificent 5th.
So who do you think surprised you the most during this spring ? Maybe someone else outside that list (likely I forgot a name or two) ?
Edited by Alakagom on 21-04-2013 18:58
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| issoisso |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:07
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Gaudin. Where the f*** did he come from?
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| TTspecialist |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:07
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Kwiat definitely! |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:08
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Can't vore for Vandenbergh?
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| TTspecialist |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:08
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Ollfardh wrote:
Can't vore for Vandenbergh?
Well,he is good in cobblestones for some time,not so big surprise (at least not for me).
edit* Uhh sorry,i didn't know what you was thinking about.
Edited by TTspecialist on 21-04-2013 18:11
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:10
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Ollfardh wrote:
Can't vore for Vandenbergh?
Yep, messed the poll slightly, oh well, still deserves big mention.
Edited by Alakagom on 21-04-2013 18:11
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| ppanther |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:14
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issoisso wrote:
Gaudin. Where the f*** did he come from?
Damien "The Chin" Gaudin. 
But to be fair he was quite good at Paris-Roubaix in the two years before. Nonetheless very impressive and unexpected season so far. |
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| juszta |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:16
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Is this a question? Kwiatkowski of course!  ( Santambrogio 2nd, Gaudin 3rd for me ) |
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:20
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Santambrogio, just edging Gaudin.
The others have all shown talent in some way, even though Kwiatek for example broke through a few years earlier than I expected.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 09:46
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:20
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Definatly Kwiatkowski. Martin, Santambrogio and Kristoff improved one step over the winter while he did 3 steps.
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| barthandsop |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:21
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Amador?
Always lead never follow!
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| ppanther |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:24
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Kwiatkowski had already more cq points than every of the other riders, except Kristoff and Martin, last season. So not this surprising. |
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| issoisso |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:35
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barthandsop wrote:
Amador?
Oooh good one!
ppanther wrote:
Kwiatkowski had already more cq points than every of the other riders, except Kristoff and Martin, last season. So not this surprising.
+1
The preceding post is ISSO 9001 certified
"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:37
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Kwiatkowski no question. Been loving him for 2 years now and its great to see him challenging in these big races
They have all been good, but Kwiatkowski has just been that much better than all of them. Yes Martin won LBL but to me that wasn't a surprise as such.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:40
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Coquard for me. Straight off the track and looking like a top sprinter already. |
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| kumazan |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:45
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Vandenbergh just ahead of Gaudin for me. Yes he had shown talent to be a decent domestique in the cobbles, but this year he did a massive step ahead.
So did Kwiatek, yes, but somehow being a young big talent, you kinda expect him to eventually breakthrough.
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:57
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Alakagom wrote:
Ollfardh wrote:
Can't vore for Vandenbergh?
Yep, messed the poll slightly, oh well, still deserves big mention.
Why don't you edit the poll and add him? 
Edited by Alakagom on 21-04-2013 18:59
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 21-04-2013 18:59
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Pellizotti2 wrote:
Alakagom wrote:
Ollfardh wrote:
Can't vore for Vandenbergh?
Yep, messed the poll slightly, oh well, still deserves big mention.
Why don't you edit the poll and add him?
I tried, the changes show in the preview, but when I click to save it, they are gone.
P.S. Instead of clicking on new reply, ''edited'' my message into your by accident, fixed it though now 
Edited by Alakagom on 21-04-2013 19:00
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| Strydz |
Posted on 21-04-2013 19:01
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Gaudin for me. I expected the others in the poll to perform
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| acac |
Posted on 21-04-2013 19:04
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Domestique
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well schleck has finished 2 races this spring. i find that shocking |
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
