The PTHC calendar can now be revealed. 4 bands having 20rd each.
It`s those kind of races where the 22 PT and 26 PTHC challenge each others without any kind of stat limitation. As each team in those two divisions is racing 2 bands, all PTHC races are guaranteed to be raced with 24 teams.
Exact explanations of how to pick is coming later in a separate thread.
Band 1
Paris Tours
France
2
Rheden GP
Netherlands
2
Scandinavia Open
Sweden
3
Strade Bianche
Italy
2
Volta a Portugal
Portugal
11
We visit five European countries in Band 1, starting with France and Paris - Tours. This is followed by the paved roads of Rheden, where the Northern Classics specialists are expected to enjoy themselves. This is followed by the hilly roads of Sweden, and then to the gravel and hills of Sienna, Italy for Strade Bianche. Finally, the mini GT of the calendar, with the riders heading to Portugal to tackle 11 stages in this race.
Something for everyone in this band.
Band 2
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Belgium
2
Tour du Maroc
Morocco
9
Tour of East Java
Indonesia
2
Tour of Norway
Norway
5
Tour of the Battenkill
USA
2
Band 2 goes global, as we cover four continents in five races! Omloop poses the typical cobbled challenge while Maroc will provide a mix of hills, mountains and flat stages. The shortest non-TT stage race on the calendar is up next, as East Java earns a promotion to the PTHC band. Norway up next, where the punchers will be up against the Time-Trailists to determine the winner. Finally, we go to America as Battenkill changes division once again and is now a PTHC race, and is the second cobbled race in this band.
Band 3
Barbados Cycling Festival
Barbados
4
Colombo Classic
Sri Lanka
2
Deutschland Tour
Germany
5
Nakhon Ratchasima Trophy
Thailand
2
Tour de Pologne
Pologne
7
The carnival of sprinting returns as a PTHC race as the cyclists will travel to the island of Barbados. The hills of Colombo and the flat-TT combo of Germany are next. Nakhon Ratchasima, another new PTHC race, makes this a good band for those who like the flats. Finally, we go to Poland, for the long running puncher race. But wait, there's something different this time!
Band 4
Balkans International
Ukraine
8
E3 Prijs
Belgium
2
Pro Halstatt Classic
Austria
2
Riga - Jurmala GP
Latvia
2
Vuelta al Pais Vasco
Spain
6
Onto the final band. A big puncher stage race to start off with in the Balkans followed by the cobbled classic E3. Pro Halstatt in Austria poses a unique challenge for riders capable on both hills and mountains. Riga - Jurmala provides a chance for the sprinters in this band. Pais Vasco is yet another race for the punchers, but a TTT and an ITT make for an interesting combination.
Think PTHC bands have brought us a lot of good racing and interesting calendar choices for PT/PCT managers since introduced a season or two ago.
The introduction above highlights a lot of similarities to last season, but some interesting variations all the same just to keep us on our toes. Think I know which bands I'd prefer this season with my current roster, although early days of transfers can always turn things on their head!
Paris Tours
Rheden GP
Scandinavia Open
Strade Bianche
Volta a Portugal
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Tour du Maroc
Tour of East Java
Tour of Norway
Tour of the Battenkill
Colombo Classic
Deutschland Tour
Nakhon Ratchasima Trophy
Tour de Pologne
Balkans International
Pro Halstatt Classic
Riga - Jurmala GP
Vuelta al Pais Vasco
