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2015 HC Race Calendar Revealed
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 20-03-2015 16:50
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The National Championships may still be ongoing, but the MGUCI can now reveal the structure of the HC race category next season. As with last year there are 6 bands of 20 race days, and each PCT team will have to pick 4 of them by prioritising them 1-2-3-4-5-6 (but that selection process will come once full calendar and dates are revealed).
Last year all teams got their Top 4 choices so there has been not been any need to change the structure of the bands, although some of the races contained within them are different.
One major change is that PT teams will all ride 1 HC band this year as well, which will be chosen after all PCT teams have made their choice. Provisionally, PT teams will be restricted so that they can only bring riders who have an AVG less than 77, and a max 'main' (MO/HL/TT/CB/SP) stat of 79.
There might be a few spaces left for CT teams to ride a one-off race after that, but there will not be as much space as last year.
 | Berlin ProRace | Germany | 2 |  | Nelspruit Classic | South Africa | 2 |  | Post Danmark Rundt | Denmark | 5 |  | Tour de Romandie | Switzerland | 6 |  | Tour of the Czech Republic | Czech Republic | 5 |
There will be a reduction in calendar size across the game next year, and the ProTour is no exception. This has led to the Tour de Romandie dropping down to become a HC race - and perhaps offer a big target for the two promoting Swiss CT teams Vontobel and Sauber.
Also notable in this band is a revamped Tour of the Czech Republic, created by myself with design input from Roman. 5 hard hill stages in what could be a season highlight for puncheurs. Also for the puncheurs, the Nelspruit Classic has been promoted into this band.
Berlin Pro Race has switched to this band, and Post Danmark Rundt completes the set.
 | 5 Jours de Dunkerque | France | 5 | | Bayern Rundfahrt | Germany | 5 |  | Down Under Classic | Australia | 2 |   | Eneco Tour | Belgium/Netherlands | 4 |  | Giro dell'Emelia | Italy | 2 | | Rheden GP | Netherlands | 2 |
There's a Nothern Europe slant to this band - apart from the season opener Down Under Classic of course - with races in France, Germany and Benelux. There's also the Giro dell'Emelia.
Two races are promoted from C1 to HC this year. The 2nd installment of the Rheden GP makes up part of the cobbles in this band, alongside 5 Jours de Dunkerque where the key Mt. Cassel stage has moved to the opening stage. The second race moving up to HC is Bayern Rundfahrt, which was last at this level in 2012. This features the classic hill/tt route, with the TT coming before the hill stage, unlike all races of that type last year.
The Eneco Tour will benefit from a new time bonus system this year, which should favour more sprinters in their battle for a high GC position.
   | Baltic Chain Tour | Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania | 5 | | Corsica International | France | 3 |  | Tour d'Andorra | Andorra | 5 |  | Tour of Vancouver | Canada | 7 |
There's every reason for this stage race band to be the most popular band, given that it features the races voted the Top 2 non-PT races in the recent PCM.daily awards.
Tour d'Andorra won that vote, and I've updated my route compilation with some new stages as part of the route. Most notable is that the epic final stage now contains a summit finish, rather than one at the end of the downhill.
Tour of Vancouver came 2nd in the vote, with it's mix of nountains and time trials, and with Corsica International here too, it is certainly the most mountainous race band. Baltic Chain Tour provides some flat racing though - as well as the cobbled prologue - with racing across the 3 baltic states. The new final stage uses the route of the Vilnius GP, a C2 race in the 2013 season. Also notable is that there will be no intermediate sprints in the race this year.
| E3 Prijs | Belgium | 2 |  | Japan Cup | Japan | 2 |  | Kenya Mountain Classic | Kenya | 2 | | Paris-Tours | France | 2 | | Strade Bianche | Italy | 2 |  | Tour of Britain | Great Britain | 8 |  | Tour of the Battenkill | USA | 2 |
No change to the races in this classic-heavy band, although the sole stage race Tour of Britain has an improved and harder route intended to encourage some more positive racing than in 2014.
Japan Cup switches back to the version used in 2013, with a slightly uphill finish, while roturn has created a modified but largely unchanged version of the Kenya Mountain Classic.
This is a race band which features all terrains of racing: flat, hill, mountain and cobbles - as well as a TT. It's unlikely that teams here will be well suited to all of the races.
| Dutch Food Valley Classic | Netherlands | 2 |  | Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt | Austria | 8 |  | Interlagos GP | Brazil | 2 |  | Tour of Eritrea | Eritrea | 6 |  | Volcan de Agua Classic | Guatemala | 2 |
The two races which returned to the MG calendar for this band last year are now gone again. In their place are a pair of challenging races. The Tour of Eritrea will really test all-round climbing ability with 3 stages that have H/M ratios of 1, 0.3 and 0 respectively. And the Volcan de Agua just acts to reaffirm Guatemala's status as a country that regularly provides extremely hard races to the ManGame after Vuelta a Guatemala in CT last year, and Clasica a Qualtzaltenango in PCT the year before.
Interlagos GP is longer in length this year, and can now be enjoyed by a wider variety of South American teams following their promotion from CT. Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt is one of those HC regulars, after a brief stay in the PT a few years ago, while Dutch Food Valley Classic offers a little more challenge than some of the other flat HC classics.
 | Clasica San Sebastian | Spain | 2 | | Manx International | Great Britain | 2 |  | Tour of Beijing | China | 5 |  | Volta a Portugal | Portugal | 11 |
Speaking of HC regulars, look no further than the Volta a Portugal. The longest HC race on the calendar once again, and this year set to be a battleground for both Portugese squads following Prio-Porto's relegation.
Tour of Beijing has a new route for the puncheurs to battle over, while this band also has 2 classics which mix together hills with a flat finish: Clasica San Sebastian and Manx International.
Edited by SportingNonsense on 20-03-2015 17:39
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 20-03-2015 16:55
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I guess Paris - Tours isn't supposed to be in band 6 and band 4?
Some interesting new races. Not sure which bands we'll go for at the moment. Shame the Kenya Mountain Classic is in such a horrible band for us once again.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 20-03-2015 17:05
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| fintas |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:06
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Unlike last year I think I will have a hard time making my decision
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:09
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FroomeDog99 wrote:
I guess Paris - Tours isn't supposed to be in band 6 and band 4?
Some interesting new races. Not sure which bands we'll go for at the moment. Shame the Kenya Mountain Classic is in such a horrible band for us once again.
Fixed that - Manx International in 6.
And considering that Band 4 continues some of every race type, if it is horrible for you, that probably isnt a good sign 
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:11
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Love the make up on the Bands again, very nicely done. Hopefully we can get into Vancouver for third year in a row, especially having moved to be based in the City.
The inclusion of PT teams makes these very interesting as well. Should make the PT teams equivalent to a mid-table PCT teams line-up for an Band. Gonne be interesting to see how the PT managers spend their race days and how the PCT riders hold up.
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| ggDonovan |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:17
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3 bands are clear for us. Depending on the transfers strategy we will decide on the last one
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:24
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The Volcan de Agua Classic looks like a killer of a stage!
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| Scorchio |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:25
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 . Season preparations can commence.
Nice to see some new races (and updated routes), providing some MG evolution. Introduction of PT teams will definitely create heightened interest. See a couple of bands that Nutresa will favour straight of the bat, but other choices will be difficult!
FYI: I think the profile for Giro dell'Emelia is missing in the band 2 list.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:27
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Got to be 1,2,4 and 6 for us with the focus on Gautier. And with 79 as the main stat limit for PT riders, a bit of training may be in order  |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:30
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jph27 wrote:
Got to be 1,2,4 and 6 for us with the focus on Gautier. And with 79 as the main stat limit for PT riders, a bit of training may be in order
I'd welcome any thoughts on whether 79 is a suitable max stat too. It may be that different stats need a different max.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:34
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SportingNonsense wrote:
jph27 wrote:
Got to be 1,2,4 and 6 for us with the focus on Gautier. And with 79 as the main stat limit for PT riders, a bit of training may be in order
I'd welcome any thoughts on whether 79 is a suitable max stat too. It may be that different stats need a different max.
Well looking at this season, I'd say to be in contention for Top 5s and wins in PCT:
MO - 80
HIL - 79
TT - 79
COB - 76/77
SP - 80/81
So that's the top limit in my opinion, maybe a stat below in each? |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:34
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It's a pretty good stat. It means that all my riders except Henao and Gesink will be eligible
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| knockout |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:44
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Hmm. Again some very nice balanced bands.
Not really a fan of the placements of my home races but then again I have more than one which is great.
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:47
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Andorra, Battenkill and Volcan De Aqua look the three very exciting races this year, especially Volcan looks killer 
Edited by jandal7 on 20-03-2015 17:49
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
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| ggDonovan |
Posted on 20-03-2015 17:47
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jph27 wrote:
SportingNonsense wrote:
jph27 wrote:
Got to be 1,2,4 and 6 for us with the focus on Gautier. And with 79 as the main stat limit for PT riders, a bit of training may be in order
I'd welcome any thoughts on whether 79 is a suitable max stat too. It may be that different stats need a different max.
Well looking at this season, I'd say to be in contention for Top 5s and wins in PCT:
MO - 80
HIL - 79
TT - 79
COB - 76/77
SP - 80/81
So that's the top limit in my opinion, maybe a stat below in each?
I agree with jph. 79 might be a little too high in some ratings.
The Top 10 of PCT:
| 1 | Brajkovic | 81MO | | 2 | Marquez | 80MO | | 3 | Intxausti | 82MO | | 4 | Bobridge | 79HI | | 5 | Pozzovivo | 81MO | | 6 | Van Stayen | 81SP | | 7 | Betancourt | 79HI | | 8 | Di Maggio | 82HI | | 9 | Ciolek | 83SP | | 10 | Abal | 81MO |
Cleary Hills and Cobbles need some extra handicap
Edited by ggDonovan on 20-03-2015 18:14
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| Scorchio |
Posted on 20-03-2015 18:11
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On PT rider participation, I'd also suggest 79 could be borderline for hill, TT and cobbles (i.e. 1 less might be more suitable). Alternatively would have thought that higher in sprint could be coped with. In general PT riders are more 'well rounded' in terms of second and third main stat and the traditional 'secondary' stats. Balance might be quite difficult to set in year one of application, but worthwhile for MG in general.
Spoiler Basic stats from the db filtered for PCT teams only with reference to the number of riders in the division with a stat of 79 or higher in 'main' stats:
Mtn: 14
Hill: 14 (although most very 1-d in terms of additional competencies)
TT: 5
Cob: 8 (including the African supserstar Bakari  !).
Spr: 32 (OK, some are also 1D, but this is quite a large population).
Is flat not generally considered a 'main' stat? If we add this too the list, then
Flat: 2.
Edited by Scorchio on 20-03-2015 18:13
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| Kami |
Posted on 20-03-2015 18:21
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On the topic of hills:
Bobridge wouldn't be eligible because of the average limitation. His strength came mostly from hilly TT stage races anyways. Betancourt just plain and simply overperformed and shouldn't be taken as a measurement.
There were even serveral other puncheurs with 79 hill that didn't do anything at all this season (Roy, Zaini, Barrio, Efimkin). Most 79-80 puncheurs had a decent season with a sporadic win and consistent top 10's which is what PT teams in HC bands should be about; competing for the win/top 5. Riders like Ulissi & Froome barely managed top 20 overall and they were the best 2 puncheurs statwise (and wouldn't even be eligible).
I'd say that 79 HI would be a good limit. It would keep away riders like Flugel, Costa & Klemme while allowing riders like Gautier, Caruso & Bilbao to still compete. It would offer a fair competition.
Edited by Kami on 20-03-2015 18:23
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| roturn |
Posted on 20-03-2015 18:23
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ggDonovan wrote:
jph27 wrote:
SportingNonsense wrote:
jph27 wrote:
Got to be 1,2,4 and 6 for us with the focus on Gautier. And with 79 as the main stat limit for PT riders, a bit of training may be in order
I'd welcome any thoughts on whether 79 is a suitable max stat too. It may be that different stats need a different max.
Well looking at this season, I'd say to be in contention for Top 5s and wins in PCT:
MO - 80
HIL - 79
TT - 79
COB - 76/77
SP - 80/81
So that's the top limit in my opinion, maybe a stat below in each?
I agree with jph. 79 might be a little too high in some ratings.
The Top 10 of PCT:
| 1 | Brajkovic | 81MO | | 2 | Marquez | 80MO | | 3 | Intxausti | 82MO | | 4 | Bobridge | 79HI | | 5 | Pozzovivo | 81MO | | 6 | Van Stayen | 81SP | | 7 | Betancourt | 79HI | | 8 | Di Maggio | 82HI | | 9 | Ciolek | 83SP | | 10 | Abal | 81MO |
Cleary Hills and Cobbles need some extra handicap
Keep in mind, that it`s 79 max stat and an AVG of max 77.
This kicks out a lot of riders with 79/78 stats as well. |
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| Scorchio |
Posted on 20-03-2015 18:38
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roturn wrote:
Keep in mind, that it`s 79 max stat and an AVG of max 77.
This kicks out a lot of riders with 79/78 stats as well.
You may well be right on this, still looking at the db, but now coming round to thinking the proposed values present the right sort of balance to not overpower the majority of PCT team, but still present the chance of occasional win/ solid top 5 to PT riders. Given that stronger PT riders RD's probably more productive getting top 10 in PT races than around 5th in PCT, then this starts to make more sense. Still think that more than 79 on sprint eligibility might be worthy of consideration. PT is already a sprinter ghetto (mainly due to the popularity of sprinters in PCT!); 79 max might (minorly) accelerate this trend. Perhaps I'm over thinking?
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| roturn |
Posted on 20-03-2015 18:57
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Seeing that I am back in PCT, this bit of preseason stuff is really nice to have.
I have my wishes and think I should do well in any kind of race with my actual squad. There is the difficulty to not trade riders, I need for the picked bands then. |
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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)
