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Kenya Mountain Classic Discussion
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 18-05-2014 19:10
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The HC calendar continues into March with the Kenya Mountain Classic! Truly a race for the climbers, most teams have brought some of their biggest stars to the race this year!
The profile is built for a climber to take the gold. However, it isn't exactly a grueling race until the final climb.
First off, the race is only 172 km long, which is very reasonable for any professional cyclist, so nobody should have problems there. Also, the first climb comes very early on and shouldn't bother any of the favorites too much. This means that tactics and acceleration will have to play more of a role than pure attrition on the final mountain top finish.
When speaking of favorites, the super duo of  Rigoberto Uran and Beñat Inxausti are dominant above the rest for Bacardi Limited. If they were on separate teams, they could very well have a 1-2. That may be tougher, and they may be forced to work for one, most likely the Colombian. But with other good supporting riders such as Navarro and Hirschlein being every capable, it would be hard for Bacardi to have an unsuccessful race.
If Bacardi can't cross the line first,  David Abal and CSC have a good chance of doing so. He got 2nd here last year, and after being put on the block by his manager in the past transfer season, he must want to get some good results this year. Teammates David de la Fuente and Jose Serpa should help the cause.
 Florentino Marquez lines up for Quickstep and can certainly do something. He is a great climber who is known to have a very big kick. His only setback will be a lack of support. Only Berard will likely be of any assistance once they reach the final climb, which mean Marquez will have to try some different tactics. With his acceleration a long attack may be a good option.
Likewise,  Fabio Duarte is out of luck when it comes to support. He'll have to be aggressive as well or find the perfect wheel if he wants to win, because Venchi - Ferranti are not strong to back him.
It's almost the exact opposite situation for Repsol and  Robert Kiserlovski. He lacks much punch, but more than makes up for it in his team strength. Nearly everyone on his team will be useful, with Cano, Ortega, Soler, and Briceno all being good enough climbers in their own right to help their leader up the mountain and isolate the other favorites. If things go right he could easily improve on last year's 5th place.
As the hometown favorites, it is no surprise that Kenya Airways have brought a very talented lineup to the biggest Kenyan race. Led by  Mwangi Samwel, the team no doubt hopes to benefit from the roaring fans that will line the climb just to see their heroes. He is a great rider in his own right, and with the atmosphere he should do even better. His team isn't living in the Alps, but he should be pretty well pulled by Zakayo Ndbri. Everyone in in the country will without a doubt be rooting them on.
 Magno Nazaret will lead the charge for FCB - Polska. On any given day he can be right up their with the biggest guns, it all comes down to how he feels. Mikel Nieve will be there to help the cause.
A big dark horse is  Jaroslav Popovych. He isn't getting any younger, and it is unlikely he will be at the top level for much longer. So he should be relishing every opportunity he gets, including this race. Metinvest's squad isn't the strongest in the race, but he should still be in the mix.
Below those guys there are a few who could do well depending on the situation and definitely fight for the top 5.  Peter Panayotov has a lieutenant and could feature for Boeing - Bulgaria.  Natnael Berthane is in the same situation for Jaguar, as is  Domink Nerz.  Ji will also contend from Meji - Cannondale, who have crafted their team to the parcours very well in hope of a good showing. Kappa bring  Marco Marzano, who is, like Popovych, an aging climber, but still a good climber.
Other outsiders for the top 10-20 include  Agudelo,  Maillet,  Kangert,  Dyachenko, Pozzo, Elissonde, and  Bennet.
Remaining teams  AMEX,  Gazelle,  Hornbach, and  RBC lack a real contender, and will have to hope for bizarre breakaway victory.
Will Bacardi dominate? Will Abal prove his worth? Will an outsider take it? Anything can happen at the summit! It should be a great race! |
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| jph27 |
Posted on 18-05-2014 19:19
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Maillet will hopefully take a top 15, maybe Gadret and Elissonde can surprise as well. Or we'll get lucky a la Tachira  |
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 18-05-2014 19:20
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Marquez has been the only dependable leader for us this season, so I hope he can complete the first goal of Top 5 for us. Looks it will be very tough in this field, but he should do well on a good day.
With things going the way they are going I wouldn't be surprised if Marquez attacks just before the flat before the climb even begins..
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| cio93 |
Posted on 18-05-2014 19:23
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Herklotz to win. Obviously.
A Top 10 would be nice, and it should be well within the abilities of Nerz.
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| Kami |
Posted on 18-05-2014 19:27
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The season hasn't really been going that good, but with both Intxausti and Uran i would be very disappointed if we didn't win.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 13:05
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 18-05-2014 19:53
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No expectations, so if Bennett will make the Top-20 i'm fine  hoping for a great battle between the very best here.
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 18-05-2014 20:42
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Top ten goal here, and with this being our home race that is a must to make it 3/3 goals this year. Samwel probably won't break the too five bough unless something crazy happens.
Anything other than a Bacardi victory would be a surprise. |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 18-05-2014 20:53
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Impossible to win with the scary Bacardi duo here. 
I like Abal's chances to podium, or at the very least get a top 5. 
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| Mhaley45 |
Posted on 19-05-2014 01:16
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Please do not let all my riders finish after the control team!
=========================================
Team Manager of AMEX - Navigon
Editor of the Cobbler
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 19-05-2014 06:19
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Nice preview bball, looking forward to your report, good to see more reporters are starting their precious "job".
First race of the season for our road captain Popovych. With scary Bacardi duo and expected bunch of several great climbers added to that, top10 is the goal for this HC classic.Good luck to all!
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| Smowz |
Posted on 19-05-2014 09:22
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Yes enjoyed the preview here bball.
Bacardi this is a big race for your boys, obvious climbers fest intrigued to see how the two leaders fare. Nightmare scenario is that one goes with group of five other favourites and finishes sixth with the other sitting at back of large pack that comes home.
Uran I fancy for the win mind you.
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 19-05-2014 10:22
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Mhaley45 wrote:
Please do not let all my riders finish after the control team!
Good news there, the control team riders are always made to abandon in a classic!
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| beagle |
Posted on 19-05-2014 10:38
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Smowz wrote:
Bacardi this is a big race for your boys, obvious climbers fest intrigued to see how the two leaders fare. Nightmare scenario is that one goes with group of five other favourites and finishes sixth with the other sitting at back of large pack that comes home.
That's what I'm afraid of as well.
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 19-05-2014 10:43
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Hoping for the break and that's about it haha |
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| ggDonovan |
Posted on 19-05-2014 12:04
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Nazaret needs to score big after the terrible race in Táchira. Top 10 minimum.
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 19-05-2014 13:17
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As pointed out by several, it should be impossible to challenge Bacardi for the win here. A top 5 should however be within reach for Duarte.
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| DubbelDekker |
Posted on 19-05-2014 14:01
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We're looking to join the breakaway. That's all we can do.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 19-05-2014 14:04
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Panayotov back on the road. Hopefully he can ride strongly to a Top20 placing. Would like to see someone going into the break aswell. Not expecting much from this race really, so i doubt i'll be disappointed
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 19-05-2014 20:08
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Hmm, well our first goal accomplished which is nice.
And as predicted, our rider of course had to be the first big favoruite one to attack  Baugnies influence spreading dramatically now.
I am happy, but Marquez clearly had the ability to finish higher today if he stayed with the pack considering he kept up with them after being solo for quite a while which hurts. Especially as Duarte got second. Venchi going to win the title by April at the current rate
Nice ride by Panayotov, Avin won't be pleased here. Great first report bbl!
I wonder who will be the 'first' to mention Puma bikes ;P
Beoing doing HTC at the moment Buying all the talent and yet still staying up with odds against them
Edited by Alakagom on 19-05-2014 20:17
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 19-05-2014 20:14
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I understang what is soon to be Avin frustration. |
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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)
