|
Vuelta a Colombia Discussion
|
| Kentaurus |
Posted on 07-01-2020 21:59
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3999
Joined: 26-07-2011
PCM$: 200.00
|
Twelve years strong, the Vuelta a Colombia has been a staple of the MG calendar. A ProTour race for much of it's tenure it has now been an HC race for the last two seasons. Don't let the downgraded status fool you though, the quality of climbers to attend is still elite with some of the best in any peloton every year.
Our route stays simple, four major climbs and two days for the sprinters. The first and fourth days are very flat with the only KoM points coming early in the race. The fastest men on the flat roads should have no difficulty getting to the finish and a high speed ending should be in the cards. Stages two, three and five feature lumpy terrain concluded by massive mountaintop finishes for the best climbers to win time against their rivals. Stage six has perhaps the most overall climbing but the last quarter of the race is a long downhill to the finish where the fastest legs left after a brutal day could win the stage.
The GC will be won by a climber, while it may not be possible to win the race on any given stage there will be plenty of chances to lose the race by having just one bad day. Pure climbing ability is required here, the resistance to maintain over a long climb, and finally acceleration to leave the other climbers behind you.
| | | | | | | | | Rider | MO | RS | AC | Rider | MO | RS | AC |  Pluchkin | 85 | 78 | 74 |  Roglic | 80 | 76 | 74 |  Tenorio | 84 | 76 | 67 |  Berhane | 81 | 74 | 68 |  Uran | 82 | 81 | 71 |  Reis | 81 | 76 | 63 |  Amador | 83 | 73 | 71 |  Choi | 80 | 76 | 68 |  Martin | 81 | 77 | 75 |  Abal | 80 | 76 | 72 |  Marquez | 80 | 78 | 80 |  Machado | 81 | 69 | 67 |
Reigning winner Pluchkin returns and should be the top favorite, though with the addition of Tenorio, who last appeared here in 2016, we aren't likely to see him run away so easily. Uran finished 3rd last year, and will look to improve his result this year in his home country with the crowds supporting him. 2017 winner, Amador, returns to retake his place at the top. The remaining experiance here is scattered, Roglic was 9th last season, looking for a top 5 I'm sure this year.
Our sprint field isn't as exciting as the two days offered against four brutal days of climbing doesn't tempt too many to venture down to South America. The days they do get are easy though, and should come down mostly to pure speed, with acceleration and overall ability on the flat roads.
| | | | | | | | | Rider | SP | AC | FL | Rider | SP | AC | FL | | Avelino | 83 | 78 | 71 |  Selig | 79 | 81 | 71 |  Gaviria | 79 | 82 | 74 | Contreras | 78 | 80 | 72 |  Kragh Andersen | 80 | 77 | 77 | Lavoine | 80 | 78 | 73 |  Haller | 80 | 79 | 72 |  Hayakawa | 79 | 79 | 73 | | Coutinho | 79 | 80 | 72 | Peeters | 79 | 77 | 72 |
The top speed of Avelino will be unmatched, and he should be the odds on favorite both days. The fans will certainly be rooting for the young Fernando Gaviria to do well with his time back home as well. While the two stages will be a fun watch, the points jersey here generally goes to the top climbers, so expect this only to be for an early GC leader's jersey and the two stages themselves.
AZTECA - NBCSN  |
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 07-01-2020 22:02
|
World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
Oomen and Gaviria leading my team here, hoping for a stage win from the local hero and a youth jersey for the Dutchie!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| Tamijo |
Posted on 08-01-2020 05:52
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7406
Joined: 14-07-2015
PCM$: 599.00
|
Hope tp have a great race but expect 4 so hard days to clearly favour the pure MO so would expect it to be the top 4 in the preview taking the top 4 spots.
5-8 and I will be fine with that. Anything inside top 10 is okay - GO MARTIN
|
| |
|
|
| Marcovdw |
Posted on 08-01-2020 08:14
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
|
In Uran we trust!
|
| |
|
|
| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 08-01-2020 08:18
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6036
Joined: 20-07-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
Here for the sprints. Please do your work Oscar.
Reis for a low top10.
Thanks for the preview Kent!
|
| |
|
|
| redordead |
Posted on 08-01-2020 08:28
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
|
Just 6 riders here for us so not much to expect for us. Sprinter field is stronger than I hoped, but maybe Kreder's decent mtn stat will mean he's fresher than others on stage 4.
Otherwise maybe Petrovski can fight for the KOM's.
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
|
| |
|
|
| cio93 |
Posted on 08-01-2020 11:09
|
World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
|
It won't get any better for Nerz looking at these long mountains, let's attack the Top 10 Dominik! 
It'll also be interesting to see Bernal in his first ever home race, I wonder if he can showcase his potential in some way already.
|
| |
|
|
| sammyt93 |
Posted on 08-01-2020 13:39
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3634
Joined: 03-07-2012
PCM$: 300.00
|
We are here to try and get the U25 Jersey with Ranaweera and continue the development of half the riders we have brought here.
|
| |
|
|
| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 08-01-2020 13:57
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
|
I hope AKA can survive to stage 4, but I highly doubt it honestly. In that case I need a podium on stage 1, which I also highly doubt, so... 6 wasted race days then. Not sure how I plan to be honest, I'm always questioning myself by the time races actually come up.
Garby has to be aggressive and attack, and we can see what happens there. Maybe Fabbro can get some minor U25 points along the way. Besides that, it's sprint and breakaways.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
| |
|
|
| Yellow Jersey |
Posted on 08-01-2020 15:39
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 2809
Joined: 16-04-2013
PCM$: 900.00
|
Again Galiev with the number 1, these details make me stress, Machado did horrible last time this was the case
|
| |
|
|
| valverde321 |
Posted on 08-01-2020 17:18
|
World Champion
Posts: 12986
Joined: 20-05-2009
PCM$: 530.00
|
Gonna be one of our weaker races of the season I think. Hopefully Costagli goes for the KOM or is active somewhat.
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 13:20
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 08-01-2020 17:53
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
We're stage hunting, here. Would like to see Selig step up a bit from previous races and really fight for a stage win. Other than that, hope Bonnin/De Marchi can be aggressive on the tough stages. Stage 6 in particular looks ideal for a breakaway.
|
| |
|
|
| Bjartne |
Posted on 08-01-2020 22:46
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
|
Suaza on home soil our only hope as usual. His compatriot Atapuma might do something on a stage as well. Looking really forward to this race |
| |
|
|
| beagle |
Posted on 08-01-2020 23:03
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4200
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
We have no GC ambitions,so I´ll be fully satisfied to see my riders attacking/joining BOTDs.
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
|
| |
|
|
| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 09-01-2020 05:17
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11677
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
|
Top 10 is probably a realistic target and I'll be happy if Marquez achieves that.
|
| |
|
|
| jandal7 |
Posted on 09-01-2020 06:36
|
World Champion
Posts: 11395
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
|
Glad not to be here, go Marquez!
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 |
| |
|
|
| fjhoekie |
Posted on 09-01-2020 08:11
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4476
Joined: 25-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Looking forward to this, should be a good benchmark to gauge Pluchkin's chances to take a GT win for our team this season.
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game |
| |
|
|
| cio93 |
Posted on 09-01-2020 18:57
|
World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
|
Hm, likely not ideal that Nerz has a team mate in yellow now, but great sprint there.
In PCM 18 sprints, look for the rider best sheltered under the kite to find the likely winner pretty much regardless of distance to the leaders, Haller had the most slipstream until the very end and managed his energy better than everyone else.
(to put it differently: everyone in front just died)
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 09-01-2020 19:11
|
World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
Aww, would've loved Gaviria to get his first win here, but we'll settle with second. Congrats Kraftwerk!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| Marcovdw |
Posted on 09-01-2020 20:38
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
|
Avila with a good sprint there in front of his home crowd, maybe a bit too far out initially but closed in nicely.
|
| |
|
