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Clasica San Sebastian Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 25-02-2018 12:44
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Directeur Sportif
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 Clasica San Sebastian
Being part of the ManGame since the first season in 2007, the Clasica San Sebastian goes into it's 11th edition this year. A truly iconic classic in the calendar and obviously one of the biggest targets for the premium puncheurs of the PCT. Amongst the most recent race winners, we have Aleksandar Flügel (2016), Cesare Di Maggio (2014), Nicolas Roche (2013) and three-time winner Alejandor Valverde (2012, 2010, 2008) as the biggest names - with an rather upsetting victory for Olexsandr Prevar (2015) two years ago.
The race stands out for it's length - you certainly need some stamina to be amongst those riders fighting for the prestigious victory. In the past, we did not have the most selective races though. It will probably come down to a sprint from a small leading group or a bunch sprint from a reduced peloton. The classical flat finish will suit fast finishers anyway. But of course anything can happen, as to be seen in the past editions.
The Startlist
The Contenders | Favorites | HI | STA | SP | AC | Outsiders | HI | STA | SP | AC |  Hagen | 85 | 81 | 73 | 79 |  Betancourt | 80 | 72 | 67 | 74 |  Van Garderen | 82 | 78 | 70 | 79 |  Waeytens | 79 | 72 | 66 | 73 |  Kinoshita | 81 | 80 | 68 | 77 |  Mohoric | 78 | 76 | 66 | 75 |  Anuar Aziz | 81 | 78 | 67 | 71 | Watson | 78 | 76 | 62 | 72 |  Schreurs | 81 | 76 | 71 | 74 |  Barbin | 78 | 75 | 71 | 75 |  Vogt | 80 | 78 | 62 | 63 | Palini | 78 | 75 | 68 | 74 |  Gautier | 80 | 76 | 68 | 77 | Quevedo | 78 | 72 | 65 | 75 | | Zaini | 80 | 74 | 65 | 70 |  Moazemi | 78 | 72 | 65 | 73 |  Klemme | 80 | 74 | 66 | 66 |  Mendes | 78 | 72 | 68 | 65 | | Costa | 80 | 73 | 69 | 72 |  Teklit | 77 | 75 | 64 | 70 |  Reichenbach | 79 | 76 | 62 | 69 |  Sanchez Gil | 77 | 75 | 59 | 72 | | Kwiatkowski | 79 | 74 | 67 | 75 | Kadri | 76 | 77 | 74 | 78 | | Juul-Jensen | 78 | 76 | 66 | 79 | Kump | 76 | 76 | 80 | 80 | | Ignatiev | 75 | 81 | 72 | 82 | McEvoy | 76 | 75 | 75 | 79 |
From those main contenders attending this year, we only have a few with some notable results here in the past editions: Sanchez Gil (3rd last year), Tesfar Teklit (9th last year), Carlos Betancourt (3rd in 2015), Mikhail Ignatiev (3rd in 2014, 6th in 2010), Rui Costa (9th in 2012) as the most notable results. Sanchez Gil probably won't be a bigger factor this year and also Betancourt struggles to do anything good so far in the season. Teklit on the same level as LLS - they would definitely need a very good daily form or a good position, when it comes down to a bunch sprint.. Ignatiev though should be considered a real threat, even though he's far from being amongst the best puncheurs in this field. His outstanding stamina and acceleration, combined with a solid sprint and of course a still huge allround package speak for themselves.
The big favorite though comes from Norway: Boasson Hagen. Unsurprisingly, he tops the list of main contenders, being the best (except of acceleration) in all needed key skills here. Like in every race he enters this season, anything but the win would be a bummer.
Van Garderen, Kinoshita, as well as Anuar Aziz and Schreurs as the next favorites for the podium. They all come with a good stamina and at least some decent sprint skills. Also Gautier should fancy his chances over one-dimensional puncheurs like Vogt, Zaini or Klemme. Juul-Jensen as the ever dangerous dark horse thanks to his strong kick and also Kwiatkowski may hope for at least a Top-10 results (even though he's lacking some stamina in comparison to some other favorites here). Mohoric, Barbin or Kadri: some more riders to watch out for.
And of course there's Kump and McEvoy, who will both hope for a bigger group battling for line honours eventually. Kump as clearly the best sprinter and given the profile (and history) of the race, there's definitely some reasons for him to be participating here. Surely one of the most interesting names amongst the possible contenders.
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| tastasol |
Posted on 25-02-2018 12:51
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
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No Ullisi, that's good. Might very well end up in a sprint, but EBH should at least be amongst the very best. Obviously going for another win.
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 25-02-2018 12:55
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World Champion
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You're very kind to still include Waeytens in the preview 
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 01:35
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 25-02-2018 13:13
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Grand Tour Champion
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Betancourt had a decent race in Beijing but he'll probably go back to crap here...
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 25-02-2018 13:20
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Here's hoping that Gautier will finally make some use of his acc.
Anything but a win to EBH will be a massive surprise though.
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 25-02-2018 14:46
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Grand Tour Specialist
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EBH to wipe the floor with everyone else, and Schreurs to finish a close second and score Orange some needed points I think. AA hopefully to keep up his run of consistent performances and finish on the top-5 too would be great
Thanks for the preview!
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 25-02-2018 14:56
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Sprinter
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Very tough field, hopefully Reichenbach can sneak into the top 10. It will be fun to see TvG and EBH go at it though.
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| Selwink |
Posted on 25-02-2018 14:57
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Grand Tour Champion
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Please don't fail 
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 25-02-2018 16:10
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
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Always hoping JJ can just show himself and we get a guy in the break. Those are my biggest hopes in most races. Any points are welcome.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 25-02-2018 17:09
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Tour de France Champion
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Boy this must be the most XP hunting team of the season for Podium Ambition! Not crashing would be a big result in this one!
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 25-02-2018 20:21
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Team Leader
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I'd like to have expectations for more than a top 10 - maybe an attack but no, we're just going for the bottom top 10 at best. 
Would be cool if Ignatiev or Kump won, though maybe that'll mean a low scoring race situation for us. Thanks for the preview tsmoha!
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 25-02-2018 22:45
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World Champion
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Hoping for a podium here. Basically have to hope Kinoshita can get ahead of atleast one of Hagen, TVG or Schreurs to do that tho, imo.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 26-02-2018 07:21
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Directeur Sportif
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Kump should have high hopes for a Top 5 here definitely!
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 26-02-2018 08:33
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Sanchez late attack from a big reduced group, Kump in second. Heard it here first
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 26-02-2018 08:58
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jandal7 wrote:
Sanchez late attack from a big reduced group, Kump in second. Heard it here first
Please don't post the race tsmoha, let's just live with this one. <3
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 26-02-2018 09:04
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Directeur Sportif
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trekbmc wrote:
jandal7 wrote:
Sanchez late attack from a big reduced group, Kump in second. Heard it here first
Please don't post the race tsmoha, let's just live with this one. <3
I take it
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| tastasol |
Posted on 26-02-2018 16:52
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Classics Specialist
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Puh, that was a close one. A lovely battle between EBH and TVG, but luckily just enough to take another win. Brilliant!
Another absolute dreadful ride by our support riders though, Watson just inside top 50 and Skjerping outside the top 70. Not good enough, and it's a pity given that the only times they have been able to get some decent results in the classics with EBH in our wild card races, but always dreadful at PCT level. Oh well, another victory for EBH and the perfect start to a difficult month, so we'll have to take that.
Thanks for the report, tsmoha!
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 26-02-2018 17:01
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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Well at least we tried to get into the break, and didn't crash... success??
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 26-02-2018 17:29
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Congrats tastasol! EBH is just far too good. Disappointed with Anuar Aziz's result, but holy shit how on earth did Russo manage to finish in 6th? Absolutely fantastic! Along with Kalil in 12th makes it a really good race for us overall. I give all of the credit to Ji
Thanks for the report tsmoha!
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 26-02-2018 17:43
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Ack. Terrible race for us overall. JJ totally off, and nobody else stepped up with an attack or significant action of any sort. We can't afford too many empty race days this late on, but we'll have to take what we get like always. Hopefully it won't be too detrimental in the standings.
Some nice racing though, and a worthy duel at the end. Congrats tastasol! Thanks for the report!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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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)
