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GP Liechtenstein Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 15-11-2013 20:32
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11786
Joined: 19-07-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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The Profile/
Tough, tougher... Liechtenstein! The ProTour is heading for one of the most brutal one day classics this year: 240km in total, 13 challenging loops featuring a steep climb, plus a wall of a climb up to the finish. If you ain't calling yourself a mountain goat, you will most probably hate being nominated for this race by your DS!
Anyway, such a mountain classic should make for a thrilling race. There's simply no excuses for a non-selective race or something: only the best (climbers) will survive. Being the last race in August, the GP Liechtenstein will also be interesting in terms of the newest rankings, of course.
The Startlist/
The Favorites/
First of all, let's start the preview with the "local team" UBS-BMC:  Nibali should be one of those aiming for at least the podium and he will be supported by some local heroes like Frank or Tschopp. The Italian climber will know the support from the road side, so this may be a boost.
Another Italian has to be mentioned as the very top-favorite though:  Cunego has no other goal but winning this race, that's going into it's second edition. And it will be good news for him (and others), that last year's winner Madrazo won't be at the start this year.
But there will be some other Spaniards going for the win: last year's 3rd  Contador to be mentioned first. But also  Intxausti or  Tenorio, who will do his best to defend his team's title from last season, will have a shot at the podium - at least.
 Machado may be Pearl Adidas' biggest hope to put some pressure on PT-leading Wikipedia, which will be led by  Denifl this time, who's just an outsider as for the Top-5 here.
 Úran will certainly be a good guess as well, especially as his team Milka really delivers this season.
One of the most thrilling question will be, which of the bottom-ranked teams - fearing the relegation - will score big time here in Liechtenstein:
 Puma (5280 pts) - Van den Broeck, coming off a great performance in Colombia (2nd overall), could achieve something special on a very good day.
 Pendleton's (5268 pts) - Same goes for Kohl. The Austrian may feel like coming home, even though it's "just" Liechteinstein but still the Alps.
 Project 1t4i (5190 pts) - The cycling fans couldn't have asked for a better startlist: Gesink is expected to perform on the same level as the two mentioned riders above, but has the pressure to leave them behind. But pressure is everywhere, I know.
 B&O (5025 pts) - Last, but of course not least, there will be Pluchkin! Definitely one of the top-favorites for the win here, which his team needs desperately! So speaking of pressure, Pluchkin has certainly some more "extra kilos" on his shoulders.
And the list of possible favorites could be easily extended with  Eastman,  Samwel,  Pedraza or  Costagli. Sorry for the not mentioned 
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 15-11-2013 20:36
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World Champion
Posts: 10231
Joined: 23-06-2011
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We need to nickname this "The Murderer". This is too tough. |
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 15-11-2013 20:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2784
Joined: 06-11-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Miguel98 wrote:
We need to nickname this "The Murderer". This is too tough.
8000m of climbing/vertical ascent. If this were real life it would be illegal
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 15-11-2013 20:41
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4461
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Should be a great race, looking forward to the report. Will be interesting to see how PCM12 deals with the ridiculous profile 
Great preview btw, tsmoha  |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 15-11-2013 21:01
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World Champion
Posts: 10616
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
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Here we go.
With his rather sub-standard support team, we might be able to leave Liechtenstein in a good position even if Pluchkin should win.
As always, I hope for a Top 10 for VDB, so far it often turned out to be the most enjoyable approach
My dark horse for this is Nibali. It'll be crucial to save as much energy as possible in the descents.
Apart from that, every small stat advantage is more important than anywhere else with that much climbing, so Cunego and Machado deserve their favourite status.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 08-12-2025 04:21
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| Smowz |
Posted on 15-11-2013 21:40
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Eight finishers would be the aim, Sella could only do so much with his race days. This didn't fit I regret that somewhat now
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| niconico |
Posted on 15-11-2013 23:35
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3926
Joined: 09-07-2007
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So this is important?
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 16-11-2013 00:01
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Sprinter
Posts: 1982
Joined: 07-02-2009
PCM$: 300.00
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One of the most exciting races of the season in my opinion. Nibali needs to do something to impress me here.
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| ember |
Posted on 16-11-2013 08:28
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Team Leader
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Not bringing Spilak here, meaning it will be all about getting all eight riders to finish the race. And admittedly, it would be nice if Augustyn is able to show himself with an early attack or something.
Hard to pick a winner here, with both 85MO guys missing. I'll go with Cunego in front of Pluchkin. Though, Machado might have a say as well.
Definitely looking forward to the race, it's simply an epic profile.
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| Roman |
Posted on 16-11-2013 11:24
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4279
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Top 10 for Uran would be great, not the best support he has here. Hopefully PCM12 AI can handle this race.
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| Rin |
Posted on 16-11-2013 22:05
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2582
Joined: 14-04-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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I don't know how much I could hug him if he would really exist (the Man-Game Cunego)
So there is now just 1 possibility what must happen if I want to hold him.
There were 2 but I guess getting his wage tag down is something I shouldn't hope for.
 Team Bianchi - 2012 Man-Game ProContinental Tour Champions
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 16-11-2013 22:07
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2773
Joined: 31-12-2007
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you forgot to add Tinkoff to the race! (wildcard)
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 16-11-2013 22:12
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
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How in the World did Velits finish better than Gesink? 
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| roturn |
Posted on 16-11-2013 22:15
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Team Manager
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This was actually nice gameplay.
Congrats to Rin here.
Velits +5
Gesink -5
I guess |
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| niconico |
Posted on 16-11-2013 23:00
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3926
Joined: 09-07-2007
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Can't really be pleased with 3rd here, Pluchkin should be able to at least beat Machado here and I need more points that what a 3rd place is. Bummer.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 16-11-2013 23:02
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World Champion
Posts: 10616
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Really decent.
VDB could've hold on a little bit longer, but a great team result means we only lose 45 points (correct me if I'm wrong) to B&O and still are more than 200 ahead of them in the rankings.
Congratulations to Lotto again, Cunego is a monster
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| Roman |
Posted on 16-11-2013 23:15
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4279
Joined: 29-05-2007
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Wow, I am really impressed with my team. 6th for Uran and 13th! for Kulhavy. Fantastic results, especially that one from my Czech climber. Too bad he is too old to train him to a GT contender...
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| Smowz |
Posted on 17-11-2013 04:35
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
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Well rin I guess Cunego was always a one season wonder. But a wonder he has been in general!
Great race, highly selective. Got six riders through to end which us pretty decent.
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 17-11-2013 05:10
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Sprinter
Posts: 1982
Joined: 07-02-2009
PCM$: 300.00
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Well thrilling race, great report, and the result will do. Would have been something if Nibali went for it on the descent with Cunego, but I guess he was probably pretty tired at that point with only 82 MO. Nice win Rin!
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| ember |
Posted on 17-11-2013 10:53
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Team Leader
Posts: 7059
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
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Congrats to Rin and thanks for a nice report!
Nice to see Jaramillo active. He really is either way above expectations or way below par.
Augustyn was just as expected, there isn't really much to do on such a course for a 77 climber.
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