|
Kenya Mountain Classic Discussion
|
| Aquarius97 |
Posted on 17-02-2018 11:35
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4191
Joined: 13-09-2015
PCM$: 300.00
|
Welcome to Kenya for the 2017 edition of the Kenya Mountain Classic, in which is its fifth edition. The race profile is very simple, but it doesn't mean it's not hard. In its 164 kms, the riders will have to go over the same climb twice, one in the start of the race, and one where the race ends.
Reigning champion Amador isn't here because he's riding TDF at the moment, but we have here two former winners with Intxausti and Contador. This race has been historically dominated by Spanish-speaking riders, as 3 out 4 editions have been won by one of those riders. And this year it could happen the same again, as of the 10 best riders here, 5 have Spanish as the first language.
| Favourites | MON | ACC | RES | Contenders | MON | ACC | RES |  Henao Montoya | 82 | 73 | 79 |  Roglič | 79 | 74 | 76 |  Intxausti | 82 | 70 | 78 |  Brajkovic | 79 | 69 | 77 |  Marquez | 80 | 80 | 78 |  Kiserlovski | 80 | 66 | 75 |  Denifl | 84 | 65 | 71 |  Garby | 79 | 70 | 76 |  Kudus | 81 | 70 | 77 |  Talansky | 79 | 69 | 76 | | Nazaret | 80 | 72 | 78 |  Pantano Gómez | 79 | 68 | 74 |  Duarte | 80 | 73 | 76 | Maillet | 77 | 77 | 76 |  Quintana | 81 | 65 | 76 | Chiarello | 78 | 72 | 74 | | Berhane | 81 | 68 | 74 | Rodrigues | 78 | 72 | 74 | | Brenes | 79 | 70 | 80 | Contador | 79 | 65 | 74 |
Sergio Henao is probably the main favourite for the win. Despite not being the strongest climber, his skil-set might be the best for a race like this. He did an amazing Giro, and the Colombian hopes to continue that form.
Intxausti is a former winner in 2014, who aims to become the first two-times winner of this race
Marquez recently won Costa Rica classic in a "big group" sprint, and if the race is decided in the same scenario, he becomes the top favourite thanks to his massive acceleration. And his team also has Nazaret to play the double-threat strategy
Denifl is the best climber in this field, but he can't wait to the final kms to try to win, as with his low acceleration, he'll be easily out-sprinted by others.
Kudus and Berhane form a great duo for Eritel. Both are top5/10 contenders, and if they can do a good strategy, one of them can win the race.
Duarte, Quintana, Roglič, Brajkovic, Garby and Talansky should fight for the rest of the top10 places, and in a good day, even fight for win/podium
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-02-2018 11:39
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Don't expect Talansky to threaten the podium places, but hoping he can ride a calm and steady race into the Top10 and secure some decent points. The rest of the team won't do anything i expect, maybe Ivanov or De Vos might get in the break but i'm not planning that to happen. Should be a fairly quiet race for Podium Ambition just trying to get a few extra points on a less suited terrain.
|
| |
|
|
| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 17-02-2018 12:25
|
Team Manager
Posts: 33046
Joined: 08-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Racing in Africa, it's well time for one of these mountain classics to work out well for the team.
|
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 17-02-2018 12:31
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
Zero expectations for the race with our main climbing squad at the TdF. Anguilet will be leader and I am hoping for a day in the break as a minimum
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
 |
| |
|
|
| Atlantius |
Posted on 17-02-2018 13:45
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Finally a race that won't disappoint
|
| |
|
|
| Croatia14 |
Posted on 17-02-2018 14:57
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
|
Not our terrain. A Top 10 would be nice for Janez!
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 01:24
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 17-02-2018 15:08
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
|
Obviously no expectations here. We haven't had a single stage of even mild mountain success this year. That said, it would be nice to see Garby in the mix. More importantly, we brought the full squad of mountain goat domestiques for breakaways. I will be mad if we don't get a guy in there at some point.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
| |
|
|
| fintas |
Posted on 17-02-2018 17:59
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2602
Joined: 21-03-2008
PCM$: 1200.00
|
We're back to our favorite ground. The team has been well in this type of race and for this trip to Africa I expect a good performance from Marquez and Nazaret. It will be difficult to repeat the success of Costa Rica but the top5 is the minimum that the team has to achieve.
|
| |
|
|
| jandal7 |
Posted on 17-02-2018 18:06
|
World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
|
Would love to see Marquez take this one out. Brajkovic to use his RES to take out a top 10 or even crack the top 5 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
| |
|
|
| tastasol |
Posted on 17-02-2018 18:08
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Yeah, I noted a zero in the points column here when the season got started. Would be nice to see a rider getting in the break, but absolutely no expectations here.
Cheering for Henao, but looking at other races in the season, I'm guessing the Nazaret/Marquez duo will be a very potent one.
|
| |
|
|
| Marcovdw |
Posted on 17-02-2018 19:52
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
|
No Úran because no racedays, and it was this or our goal race in Qatar.
Hopefully Pantano can step up and replace him but I'm not expecting any miracles. Top ten would be a nice achievement.
|
| |
|
|
| DaveTwoBob |
Posted on 17-02-2018 20:08
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2433
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Would be happy with a top 10 from Kiserlovski.
|
| |
|
|
| Selwink |
Posted on 18-02-2018 10:09
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Henao was unbeatable, so that makes a second place for Duarte even better than it already was. We're suddenly picking up points, which is great! 
|
| |
|
|
| Atlantius |
Posted on 18-02-2018 10:35
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
My "climbers" ride on the same level as the rest of the season but Omarsson (briefly) in the break is nice!
|
| |
|
|
| Marcovdw |
Posted on 18-02-2018 10:48
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
|
Hey, could've been a lot worse. Gives me some hope for Volta a Portugal where Pantano is also scheduled to lead, providing the field is not as strong there.
Thanks for the report Aquarius, and congrats Ferrero!
|
| |
|
|
| Croatia14 |
Posted on 18-02-2018 12:56
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
|
disgusting result
|
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 18-02-2018 13:01
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
yep... that went as well as expected...
Congrats to Ferrero
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
|
| |
|
|
| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 18-02-2018 13:06
|
Team Manager
Posts: 33046
Joined: 08-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
4th and 12th is a 'par' result for Kudus and Berhane, so can be happy with that. But always a shame to not quite be fighting for victory on the African continent. Glad to see we chased down the breakaway, to prevent any chance of another annoying mountain classic break performance!
|
| |
|
|
| tastasol |
Posted on 18-02-2018 13:15
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
129th, I'll take it  Nice to see Henao performing well, congrats on the win, Spilak!
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 18-02-2018 14:32
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Happy with that from Talansky, roughly where i was expecting. Solid points coming in there and he's doing exactly what we signed him for, to add that bit extra to our flat riders. No complaints at all.
And very happy with 17th for Ivanov, ahead of a number of better climbers. Good ride from him, showing a rare flash of almost depth uphill for Podium Ambition.
|
| |
|
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
