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Vuelta a Colombia Discussion
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 19-09-2013 14:31
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Team Leader
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Colombia has a rich tradition of top-class climbers so it comes at no surprise that their national tour is very mountainous.
There are three ex-winners at the start this year. All three of them won this race when it was still in the Continental tour but they should still come in with a lot of confidence.  Van den Broeck won the race in 2011 while  Pedraza was crowned in his home tour in 2010. Third winner is Pereiro, now 'defending' the colours of the control team, back in 2008. It will be hard for both Van den Broeck and Pedraza to repeat winning but they should be in contention for atleast a top 5 overal.
 Tiago Machado is one of the best climbers in the world. His all-around skills aren't top notch so he never came close to winning a GT but should definatly be at his best here. His timetrialling is decent to back up his climbing.
Small Italian climber  Sella has a clear weakness. His timetrialling is really bad. That means he should attack a lot on the mountain stages to have enough leeway before the timetrial.
 Henao Montoya is the hope off the Colombian fans. He's had some bad luck so far this season but a win here could turn things around. No matter what we can expect this guy to attack a lot. He finished 2nd last year and definatly hopes to improve on that.
Costa-Rican Andrei  Amador is one of the premier all around talents for tough stage races combining a good timetrial with top climbins skills.  Fothen,  Intxausti,  Martin,  Keinath and  Velits are comparable but probably a step lower. They'll all be gunning for a place close to top 5!
Some decent sprinters have shown up planning to win one of the flat stages.  Degenkolb,  Goss, Van Stayen, Forero and Richeze are the main sprinters to look out for.
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 19-09-2013 14:36
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3930
Joined: 29-01-2013
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God, those are a lot of mountains. 
The Natonality Bonus might give Henao the edge though, i think.
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| tyriion |
Posted on 19-09-2013 14:47
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Sprinter
Posts: 1506
Joined: 29-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I'm already looking forward to stage 9.
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| SotD |
Posted on 19-09-2013 15:03
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
Joined: 29-11-2006
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Markus Fothen has been given #1, but I would be very very surprised if he breaks anything higher than 5th here.
Obviously the final TT suits him, Amador and Intxausti very well, but I really doubt Fothen will be in striking distance from there.
I have 3 favorites for the GC here: Andrei Amador, Thiago Machado and Sergio Henao Montoya. Sella could get a podium, but I don't think he will. So far the gaps haven't been all that big in the mountains, and the 3 I mentioned should all climb with him. Right behind those 4 will probably be Intxausti, Fothen and van den Broeck - In no particular order. Dan Martin, Walter Pedraza and Peter Velits for the last top 10 positions.
Looking at my competitors in the region of 6-15th:
Santander has got nothing here and I should gain anywhere from 200-400 points on them.
Aker-MOT is in a similar position to Santander, thus I could be very close to leveling them.
UBS have one of my main favorites for the entire race, and they should be moving up to 6th after this race, probably very close to Vesuvio also!
Pokerstars could get 3-4 nice stageresults and thereby defending themselves well, but I guess that they should get 150 points at the max here.
Simply Red Bull have got a very nice chance of improving with both Sella and van Stayen here! I'm pretty sure they will outscore me by atleast 100 points, probably also by 200 points.
Lotto - Cervelo will struggle to get much. They have a decent sprinter, but nothing more, and two riders potentially capable of 12-20th GC. Could be decent, but should be catched by me.
Festina have Fothen and Lavoine to make an impact which could be fairly decent.
Wiggle will have to rely on break away succes, which can be very difficult at this race. I suspect they could well drop their chances of top 10 a bit.
Project 1t4i should get a decent run here, with also Trentin usually overperforming in sprints. I think they will stay where they are.
Pendleton's rely solely on Dan Martin here, and as he lack the efforts to really stay in touch I think they drop fairly close to Puma with van den Broeck!
I'm looking very much forward to this race, and needs to be a bit lucky, eventhough expectations aren't that high. Anything from 6th or better GC wise is good. Hopefully Lavoine can do something from the bid og pure luck.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 08-12-2025 06:08
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 19-09-2013 15:33
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Sprinter
Posts: 1982
Joined: 07-02-2009
PCM$: 300.00
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Wow, Amador is actually a podium favorite here. I'm surprised that we're missing some of the big names. Maybe it will be a bit more exciting with them gone. Can't wait!
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 19-09-2013 16:21
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Team Manager
Posts: 31706
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I fear that in PCM12 the TT could have a significant impact, despite the amount of mountain stages. Up to the more pure climbers to avoid that
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| Roman |
Posted on 19-09-2013 17:16
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4279
Joined: 29-05-2007
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My hopes are the TT won't play the biggest possible role in final results of the race, hopefully there will be big gaps before that last stage. And hopefully a national bonus for Henao will play a strong role in his hopeful push for a podium spot. And well, this is probably the last chance for Forero to show me something to give him spot in my team for the next season. Should be definetely a really nice race, Machado looks like the man to beat to me. Good luck to everyone.
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| mb2612 |
Posted on 19-09-2013 20:20
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Team Leader
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Hopefully breakaways and a sprint placing or two.
 [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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| Smowz |
Posted on 19-09-2013 22:07
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
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Hoping for a decent all round performance. Sella could be decent, but will need to find ways of getting gaps.
It may be possible that a surprise rider takes the leaders jersey early on.
Van Stayen looking to continue his decent form.
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| niconico |
Posted on 19-09-2013 22:10
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3926
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Very important race, I don't know about Puma but it should be possible to make some inroads in the deficit to Pendletons here.
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 19-09-2013 22:19
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
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niconico wrote:
Very important race, I don't know about Puma but it should be possible to make some inroads in the deficit to Pendletons here.
But don't. |
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 19-09-2013 22:42
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Team Leader
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A KoM jersey would be nice... though a little unlikely. |
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| ember |
Posted on 19-09-2013 22:53
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Team Leader
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mb2612 wrote:
Hopefully breakaways and a sprint placing or two.
Drop the last part, and we fully agree 
Not much more to say, really. I do hope the mountain stages will prove gaps though. Stage 8 and 9 should at least give some great racing, I do fear for the other stages though. Stage 7 might also be one where the big climbers can outclimb the others.
Looking forward to the race! |
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 20-09-2013 05:54
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World Champion
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SotD wrote:
Markus Fothen has been given #1, but I would be very very surprised if he breaks anything higher than 5th here......
...........
I really like your pre-race summaries SotD, it helps to bring even more tension for me as the manager from lower division. So i am tuned up for the show, Henao Montoya is my pick here, enough of bad luck for Milka in stage races recently, so i hope they will bounce back here. But good luck to all
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| beagle |
Posted on 20-09-2013 20:48
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4235
Joined: 06-10-2007
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It would be nice if Degenkolb will play one of main parts in bunch sprints. Hopefully my team won´t build any sprint train as it would be terribly poor.
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 21-09-2013 19:27
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Team Leader
Posts: 7217
Joined: 22-08-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Half the peloton getting dropped on flat stages is (BY FAR) the worst thing about pcm 12. Have not reported a stage race yet where it didn't happen. Sorry to those who lost...
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 21-09-2013 19:29
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World Champion
Posts: 10231
Joined: 23-06-2011
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Forero. Even with my team focusing next season on South American, I don't want him, seeing that probably Roman dies a little bit inside with every performance of him. |
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| tyriion |
Posted on 21-09-2013 19:50
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Sprinter
Posts: 1506
Joined: 29-08-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Spilak23 wrote:
Half the peloton getting dropped on flat stages is (BY FAR) the worst thing about pcm 12. Have not reported a stage race yet where it didn't happen. Sorry to those who lost...
Too bad flat stages open up more gaps than hilly ones. Even mountain stages don't get such big gaps.
Congrats to pokerstars, they got what they wanted from this race I guess.
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 21-09-2013 19:53
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2130
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Nice to see Colbrelli being involved in the sprint. Hope he can grab a couple of top 10s in the sprints later in the race. Not so cool to see Santoro down, though.
Our ambitions here are breakaways (as usual). I hope the team can fight for a win in such a situation. It's been a while since our last one!
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| beagle |
Posted on 21-09-2013 20:14
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4235
Joined: 06-10-2007
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I´m not sure , but think it was the first win for Degenkolb in his Man-Game career! (except of Crit Series in 2011 season). I still see 2 more opportunities for him to grab another good results here, but I can already count this race as a successful for my team.
EDIT: and great effort from Terpstra, too
Edited by beagle on 21-09-2013 20:14
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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