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Down Under Classic Discussion
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 06-06-2015 11:32
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4573
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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 Down Under Classic 2015 Preview
Welcome to Australia for the now almost traditional season curtain-raiser, the 6th edition of the Down Under Classic! It is today we will get the first glimpse of the PCT peloton of 2015, and especially the top sprinters of the division. The profile remains the same as in previous years:
Just 75 kilometres long and pan-flat, the course could not be more suited for the sprinters. It is hard to see any attackers getting any leeway due to the short profile, and all signs point to a mass sprint with nearly all the division's top sprinters attempting to get their season off to the best possible start.
As far as previous winners are concerned, last year's surprise winner Danilo Kupfernagel returns, with the goal of repeating his exploits for German team Karcher. 2013's winner is also present, with André Greipel participating for Lululemon/Blackfish, although he was riding for the now-defunct WWE team when he won the race.
Those are just two riders of a packed field participating here. So, without further ado, let's have a look at some of the key riders who should contest a fast finish into Albert Park.
| Spr | Acc |  Gerald Ciolek | 83 | 79 |  Mark Cavendish | 82 | 81 |  Maxime Vantomme | 82 | 78 |  Óscar Avelino | 82 | 78 |  Juan Van Heerden | 82 | 73 |  Ricki Nelson | 81 | 81 |  Jonas Ahlstrand | 81 | 80 |  Tom Boonen | 81 | 77 |  Danilo Kupfernagel | 80 | 80 |  Giacomo Nizzolo | 80 | 79 |  Jens Keukeleire | 80 | 79 |  Dylan Groenewegen | 80 | 79 | | Heinrich Haussler | 80 | 76 | | Kobe Vanoverschelde | 80 | 75 |  Matt Rowe | 80 | 70 | | Arnaud Demare | 79 | 79 | | Tosh Van der Sande | 79 | 79 | | Michael Vingerling | 79 | 79 | | Alexander Krieger | 79 | 79 |  Mitch Docker | 79 | 77 |  Tyler Farrar | 79 | 77 |  Steele Von Hoff | 79 | 77 | | Geoffrey Soupe | 79 | 77 | | Joeri Stallaert | 79 | 76 | | André Greipel | 79 | 76 |
The favourite must be Gerald Ciolek, riding for Team Puma - SAP, who is probably the fastest sprinter here. He also has great support, and the likes of Arnaud Demare and Jocelyn Bar should be able to provide a great leadout for the big German.
Behind him there are several others who could also be in with a good chance. Among them are Mark Cavendish, who will be looking to impress for his new Eddie Stobart team, Maxime Vantomme who also makes his debut for promoting Team TomTom, and Óscar Avelino who races for the first time in the PCT for 2 years. There's also South African Juan Van Heerden, who also has the speed to contend.
Legend of the sport Tom Boonen rides his first race ever for new team Evonik, and should be near the front at the finish. Swedish talent Jonas Ahlstrand and Aussie Ricki Nelson are just as fast as the ageing Belgian, although all 3 are a bit slower than the top favourites.
As you can see from the list there are plenty of other sprinters who could take victory, in what should be a very exciting sprint finish. The full startlist is here:
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 06-06-2015 11:35
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11819
Joined: 19-07-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Well, can't expect anything. Would be happy enough if Von Hoff at least tries to sprint.
Breakaway appearance should be the main goal for Oz!
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 06-06-2015 11:36
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World Champion
Posts: 10891
Joined: 19-11-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Come on Asbroeck/Houle/Feillu/Wippert. Whichever one hopefully latches on to some random train and takes some points for us.
Insane startlist, PT worthy. I am going with Cavendish win but seriously anyone from that list could win it
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| roturn |
Posted on 06-06-2015 11:38
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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Not expecting a lot in those classics. But a top10 in Groenewegens debut would be nice.
Also Vanmarcke would be an option.
Winner? Nelson or Avelino I guess. Ciolek to podium. |
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| Heine |
Posted on 06-06-2015 11:39
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4116
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Didn't dare to bet on this race as I never trust sprinters... Will be interesting to see how the Acc stat plays in on this PCM version. Crazy list of sprinters for this race, hopeing Boonen does well, want the mangame legend to have som last wins
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| Selwink |
Posted on 06-06-2015 11:44
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Given the shortness of the race and the PCM14 AI I fear a break reaching the finish first. If not, I'll make a guess and say Vantomme.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 06-06-2015 11:51
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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The first sprint i can be genuiney interested in ever for my own chances!!! Ricki won't get much better chance than this to start paying back the investment in him. Soupe on his grand debut for the team. Kobe has to show Chernobyl they were wrong to mock him. Greipel always goes well in Australia so let's continue that. Ewan on home turf in a Crit but he's a couple of years away from dominating events like this. Geraint for a strong late break coverage possible. Yates and Alaphillipe to do whatever, attack hopefully. Very excited to see one of my strongest line-ups of the entire season in action for the first of a few occasions. Let's bring the points boys!
Over-positive manager is positive today 
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| knockout |
Posted on 06-06-2015 11:53
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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What a terrific startlist 
None of the top sprinters in PCT is missing as it seems so everything is possible.
Personally, I could not resist to send Boonen to the season start. Can't wait to see him in action!
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| DubbelDekker |
Posted on 06-06-2015 12:17
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2633
Joined: 20-04-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Here we go!
This race doesn't suit us at all though. I wouldn't mind a zero pointer, as long as we're in the breakaway.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 23:57
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 06-06-2015 12:17
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Too bad I couldn't make it to this race, would've been nice to see Richeze among these guys.
Good luck to all participating teams for their first race of the season! |
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| Margh Norway |
Posted on 06-06-2015 12:24
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Sprinter
Posts: 1507
Joined: 23-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Not our cup of tea, the season opener. But as we are here we won't leave efford- or scoreless.
Thanks for preview FroomDog and good luck to the contenders!
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| tastasol |
Posted on 06-06-2015 12:27
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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That startlist
Have a top 10 goal here, hopefully Docker can surprise...
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| ember |
Posted on 06-06-2015 12:48
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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Great to have a big clash between the best sprinters in the PCT in the opener!
Cheering for Ahlstrand and Van Heerden, but none of them are likely to get a train, making it difficult for both, but especially for Van Heerden with his low acceleration, I suspect.
Ciolek is the obvious favourite, and with that train, which looks good, he should be able to take it home. Looking forward to the report! |
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| sgdanny |
Posted on 06-06-2015 12:50
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3591
Joined: 18-03-2014
PCM$: 200.00
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Don't hope the same sprinters will be in the stage race
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| Jesleyh |
Posted on 06-06-2015 13:01
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15274
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Bring it on!
I'm so excited
Regarding the break, Selwink, I have some excellent flat guys on this race, hope they'll help with the chase.
Hope for a Top 3 here or who knows, maybe a win. That said, this is a freaking lottery though so I just hope for some luck 
Feyenoord(football) and Kelderman fanboy
PCMdaily Awards: 12x nomination, 9x runner-up, 0x win.
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| dev4ever |
Posted on 06-06-2015 13:04
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2282
Joined: 13-03-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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knockout wrote:
What a terrific startlist
None of the top sprinters in PCT is missing as it seems so everything is possible.
Guillen is missing... 
Will be interest to see how this pans out, but I fear a break making it because of its shortness aswell.
If it ends in a mass sprint, I'll go with a suprise winner I think.
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 06-06-2015 13:14
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Team Leader
Posts: 6036
Joined: 20-07-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Ecstatic to see the racing begin! Avelino should do well here to take a significant result, but with a packed startlist as this, there's always going to be someone disappointed.
I placed my PCMs in Cav, but in theory everything is in favour of Ciolek. Thanks for the preview Froomie.
And good luck everyone
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| viking90 |
Posted on 06-06-2015 13:16
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Awesome race to start the season!
Got this as a win goal, dont think that will happen but hope to be up there when the sprint starts! |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 06-06-2015 13:17
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I really hope Kulppi will be able to help Boonen to a good result in his debut alongside the Belgian legend.
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 06-06-2015 13:19
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2797
Joined: 06-11-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Maksimov unable to come to the only race that suits him.  Ciolek to finish 2nd/3rd and I guess I'll name Vantomme as the victor. Would be nice to JvH rack up a good result too. 
Kinda sucks only be able to come into action in February, but nice to see the start from a neutral perspective.
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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)
