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Roma Maxima Discussion
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 30-12-2019 11:03
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Grand Tour Champion
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 Roma Maxima
History
| Year | Winner | Team | | 2018 | Kenneth Vanbilsen | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam |
The second edition of the Roma Maxima, but it is raced in the same area as Strada Appia Antica which was held yesterday. It can be seen as its little brother, with an easier route in terms of climbing, a lower category and less history. Kenneth Vanbilsen won the inaugural edition in a reduced bunch sprint, beating Lahcen Saber. Both are back today for a rematch, but there are 127 other riders looking for glory. We will definitely have an interesting race on the old Roman roads on our hands.
Profile
The important sections are in the second half of the race, but the riders have to negotiate a hill to get there. It most likely won't play an important role in the race but we might see some signs of weaknesses. After the downhill it's a constant stream of rough roads mixed with undulating sections. The final cobblestone sector falls inside the final two kilometer, with great opportunity for late attacks.
Startlist
| Favorites | COB | SP | ACC | FL | Outsiders | COB | SP | ACC | FL |  Vanbilsen | 80 | 72 | 71 | 78 |  Kluge | 76 | 76 | 73 | 77 |  Machado | 79 | 62 | 61 | 69 | Joseph | 76 | 66 | 70 | 74 |  Kasperkiewicz | 79 | 59 | 66 | 74 |  Lhotellerie | 76 | 58 | 68 | 72 |  Bush | 78 | 71 | 73 | 74 |  Tsatevich | 75 | 75 | 75 | 74 |  Maes | 78 | 61 | 66 | 79 | Kolev | 75 | 61 | 67 | 74 |  Richardson | 78 | 60 | 61 | 71 |  Bovenhuis | 74 | 62 | 68 | 73 | | Bolivar | 77 | 64 | 69 | 73 | Verhelst | 74 | 62 | 68 | 71 | | Saber | 76 | 81 | 79 | 75 | Langeveld | 74 | 61 | 70 | 74 | | Havik | 76 | 79 | 76 | 73 | Harrison | 73 | 78 | 81 | 72 |
The startlist is quite weak due to a clash with De Panne and most PCT cobblers deciding to go there. Summerhill, Bakari, Spengler, Vanspeybrouck, Stallaert, Zepuntke, Baugnies, Nolf just to name a few. Nevertheless, the startlist contains some exciting names!
The door is open for Vanbilsen to prolongate his victory. He is the strongest cobblestone specialist in the field, and has Joseph as great support. He even rode the Strada Appia Antica on a wildcard as warm-up, but the hills proved too much for him.
Last year the race finished with a small bunch sprint, in which Saber finished second. He is out for revenge today, and has Havik by his side to help. The latter could go for his own chances as well, as both are very capable sprinters besides their cobble ability.
Machado and Kasperkiewicz might be able to match Vanbilsen on the cobbles, but they will lose to him in a sprint. For them escaping is essential. The Pole has one of the better climbing skills of the favorites, but he would have to accomplish a long solo after the hill.
Bush and Bolivar finished fifth and sixth last year. The teammates can be strong together, but who will take control towards the finish line? If the group is large enough, Harrison might want to take his chance in the sprint.
The likes of Maes and Richardson don't enter as biggest favorites but if they have a good day they can surprise. Kluge and Tsatevich are nice all-rounders, having a decent sprint towards the end. The outcome is unpredictable, let's hope for a nice and exciting race!
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 30-12-2019 11:31
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
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Ooof. Startlist was more balanced last year between the two. This looked like the place to be after all.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 30-12-2019 11:50
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
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We need to get over that mountain!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 30-12-2019 12:05
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11676
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A repeat of last year's result looks unlikely for Saber, but if both him and Havik can get Top 10s, I'll be very happy. Bovenhuis should be happy on this course as well.
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| Yellow Jersey |
Posted on 31-12-2019 00:49
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2809
Joined: 16-04-2013
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Here we go, a cobbled double header, Marc Machado's goal of the season as he's able to enter C2, win isn't expected I won't force but I expect him to be thereabouts and net some important points.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 08:58
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| liefwarrior |
Posted on 31-12-2019 03:07
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Looks like we made the right choice to come here instead of Belgium. Big opportunity for Maes to score some significant points, especially considering his disappointing performance in the CT cobbles. We aren't placing him as a favourite for the win, but we believe he can hang on as the pack splits up. |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 31-12-2019 17:12
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
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Expected result. Great race for Adriatic!
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 31-12-2019 17:32
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Actually a very nice result for Jayco! Ariko amongst those animating the race and even though he couldn't hang on with the best, his result and Changpad sneaking into the Top-15 make for a pleasant result eventually. I was kinda hoping for Ariko to have a good day in such a classic and so I'm happy to see even two of our riders with a high finish (for Jayco' s standards).
Thanks for the report!
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| Yellow Jersey |
Posted on 31-12-2019 17:33
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2809
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11th isn't much, feel like better strategy would surely be possible specially with that unnecessary attack burning him in the end.
Still thanks Marco for the report Lierse for the win!
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 01-01-2020 09:38
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
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That's how you do it! A Stravaesque victory where we control the race, answer all attacks as a team and in the end we have the most left in the tank!
Was worried about the mountain, but I guess it was far enough away from the finish. Winning this race back to back is a great way to finish a disappointing 2019, onto a better 2020!
Thanks Marco for the report!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 01-01-2020 10:31
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Congratz Ollfardh!, and thanks for the report
Lhotellerie inside top 10 is nice in a race where we had little expectations.
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 02-01-2020 04:38
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11676
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Very good result for the team here. Great work once again from Saber to get the podium. Havik and Bovenhuis contributing in a good way as well.
Congrats Ollfardh and thanks for the report!
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