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Philadelphia International: Discussion
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| Pellizotti2 |
Posted on 29-04-2013 11:12
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World Champion
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Hosted for the 4th consecutive year, Philly International is becoming more and more of a classic on the ManGame calendar. The racing does admittedly seem to be turning more and more conservative over the years, as seen by the mass sprint for 2nd behind Juan José Cobo last year, but a good race is expected nevertheless.
As mentioned earlier, the race does seem to be transitioning from a puncheur classic to something for the sprinters. The 900m long and horrendously steep Manayunk Wall is, as always, the main difficulty on the parcours, although the final ascent comes a long way out from the finish.
Finally, the finish could prove tricky as well. The road ramps up ever so slightly near the kite, which could prove to be a nightmare for the pure sprinters.
Even though some of the division's best sprinters have chosen Hel van het Mergelland over this, there's no reason to complain about weak competition.
Being the fastest sprinter in the race and having a team entirely dedicated to him is surely reason enough to let  Danilo Napolitano wear bib #1. It comes at a cost however, as the pressure on him is enormous - given the fact that he has failed to cash in a single victory all season!
Two men who've been far more successful are  Maxime Vantomme and  Nolan Hoffman. The former seems to have recovered from last year's problems judging by a great Olympia's Tour, and the latter has been haunting many rivals after somehow winning the hilly Tour of South Africa.
Clearly in form coming out of a successful Tropicale Amissa Bongo is  Peter Kennaugh. With quality leadout man Martin Pedersen also in the ranks, the Vueling team might actually try to challenge the expected Evian sprint train.
Prio-Porto are also heading into the race with two threats. Whether they'll go for recent Vancouver stage winner  Oscar Avelino or the more punchy Francisco Ventoso remains to be seen. Their double strength might actually be more of a problem than an advantage, depending on how the race plays out.
Then we have the two German threats:  Heinrich Haussler and  André Greipel. The latter perhaps in particular, as he has already proved himself capable of defeating all the top names in Down Under Classic. Haussler is meanwhile favoured by the slightly lumpy parcours and the tough finish.
There are plenty of other quality contenders, however.  Mathieu Drujon,  Mitch Docker,  Jake Keough,  Francesco Gavazzi, Boy Van Poppel and  Tiziano Dall'Antonia are just a few of those who will have plenty of freedom in their respective squads as they try to upset the bigger names.
The non-sprinters shouldn't be discounted either, considering the fact that the race has in fact never been won by a sprinter before. Pieter Vanspeybrouck,  Giovanni Visconti,  Fabio Taborre,  Sander Armee,  Carlos Betancourt,  David Boily and  Sergio Ghisalberti are a few names potentially capable of trying to escape a mass sprint finish.
Edited by Pellizotti2 on 02-05-2013 20:00
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| roturn |
Posted on 29-04-2013 11:14
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Team Manager
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Looking forward to this one. I think Vantomme is here due to some race days leftovers. I hope he can come over the hill.
A top 10 is fine for me here. |
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 29-04-2013 11:23
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Hoping for a similar race like in South China earlier this year. Of course we don't expect anything though, but Visconti should at least try and show our colors!
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 29-04-2013 11:46
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I believe this will come down to a sprint finish, judging from some of the PCM12 hilly stages coming to the sprint and being even more hilly. Also there is a factor of stamina, as the race is incredibly long.
I have high hopes for Nolan Hoffman and i see likes of Vantomme, Napolitano, Drujon and Ventoso as the biggest possible opponents, top5 is the goal for us.
Surprised to see some selections, especially why is Farrar missing, the race is tailor made for him with his good stamina and national bonus, on the other hand his hill stat could be too low. 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 28-11-2024 01:42
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| Christer |
Posted on 29-04-2013 12:09
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This is going to be really interesting.. I need a good result here. Hoping for at least a podium place.
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| CountArach |
Posted on 29-04-2013 13:49
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Top ten would be fine but top 5 would be perfect.
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| ANFreeman |
Posted on 29-04-2013 15:44
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Again, hills scared me off bringing Cav here. Mistaaaaake.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 29-04-2013 15:56
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Napolitano has failed to win? He raced twice... 
Rocchetti is here for a crazy attack. Sonnery is backup, and Napolitano the obvious leader. |
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 29-04-2013 17:28
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C'mon Dall'Antonia. He should maybe, somehow, pull one like Langwaki last year.
Edited by Miguel98 on 29-04-2013 17:29
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| Mhaley45 |
Posted on 29-04-2013 17:37
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Unable to predict the style of this race AMEX has brought a buffet of options. Barredo for a late attack t beat the sprinter. A hometown sprinter in Jake Keough and young Jan Dieteren who hopes to get in the breakaway.
No expectations here but looking for a few points.
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Editor of the Cobbler
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 29-04-2013 17:44
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Team Leader
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CountArach wrote:
Top ten would be fine but top 5 would be perfect.
Same here
Nice preview Pelli, much like Hel van het Mergelland it's not easy to anticipate the impact of the hills here, but as Avin said stamina is probably going to be a determining factor as well.
Sure Avelino + Ventoso could be counter-productive, but I think it's going to work just fine.
My tip ftw: Hoffman to beat Napo in the line.
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 29-04-2013 17:47
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The San Remo of the continental circuit. Climbs are not all at the end though so that should give the sprinters an edge. I think Ventoso will win.
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 29-04-2013 22:20
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Classics Specialist
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why i had this as a goal race ill never know:? break to win please! |
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 29-04-2013 22:21
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jt1109 wrote:
why i had this as a goal race ill never know:? break to win please!
America Tour maybe? |
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 29-04-2013 22:21
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jt1109 wrote:
why i had this as a goal race ill never know:? break to win please!
America Tour maybe? |
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| CrueTrue |
Posted on 30-04-2013 17:32
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Tour de France Champion
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Go, go, mr. Kennaugh. Climbing walls is your thing... |
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| tyriion |
Posted on 30-04-2013 20:32
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Sprinter
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Agood result here would be very helpful to avoid relegation. Gavazzi has what it takes to go into the top 5 here.
Check out my ManGame team here
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| ANFreeman |
Posted on 30-04-2013 20:59
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After the result at Het, I regret not sending a stronger sprinter squad here. Docker could sneak into top 10, but he's not exactly got good sprint support. Mandri will probably be our starman.
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 01-05-2013 11:26
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11th isn't bad. Cyanide should somehow, fix blockings IA. Still, 22 points is really good, after the 97 scored at Alentejo. I love APRIL!!! |
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 01-05-2013 11:30
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Miguel98 wrote:
11th isn't bad. Cyanide should somehow, fix blockings IA. Still, 22 points is really good, after the 97 scored at Alentejo. I love APRIL!!!
Why? It's part of cycling. Of course it's not best for Man-Game, but it's a fair part of game.
Not sure why I enetered here, next year Lijke will have more chances here if we paricipate.
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