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Baltic Chain Tour Discussion
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| jph27 |
Posted on 25-06-2020 10:58
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Awaiting us over the coming days is one of the biggest races on the C1 calendar for the sprinters: the Baltic Chain Tour. With the event in August the riders won't have to worry about the weather as much as they would during the Baltic winter, but don't be fooled into thinking an easy race is in prospect.
Stage 1 takes place on the streets of Tallinn, and will be crucial for determining which of the non-sprinters do well in GC terms, offering the only opportunity for bonus seconds other than at stage finishes. Taking in the cobbled roads which wind their way through the Old Town, with a small amount of climbing, the cobblers and prologue specialists who have made the journey here will look to put as much time as possible into the sprinters.
We then head along the coast to Saint Petersburg for the second stage, providing plenty of motivation for the riders to finish the prologue as fast as possible - nobody wants to be stuck at the border in Narva. That starts a run of flat stages, with the third stage running on the route of the Hanko Classic followed by a ferry across to Stockholm for the fourth stage.
Finally, we cross the Baltic Sea for Stage 5 in Vilnius, the hardest of the sprint stages. The riders will start in the centre of the city, before heading for higher ground on the outskirts of Vilnius. 8 circuits will come to an end with an uphill finish, which while not hard enough to favour the puncheurs will still pose a significant challenge.
In terms of favourites, we have the packed sprint field you would expect here. 6 of the 7 riders to win the race previously are present:  Degenkolb (2018),  Van Asbroeck (2017),  Ahlstrand (2015),  Vantomme (2014) and  Avelino (2013).  Guarnieri,  Cavendish and  Ciolek are also amongst those present, and will look to add their names to the list of winners.
In terms of the prologue, Degenkolb,  Boeckmans,  Saber and Van Asbroeck are the best cobblers, with Guarnieri, Cavendish,  Enger,  Manninen and  Ulanowski the strongest prologue specialists. Saber and Van Asbroeck are the duo to watch though, with the best combination of the two skills.
| FL | STA | RES | COB | SP | ACC | PRL | | Degenkolb | 76 | 73 | 71 | 72 | 84 | 81 | 67 | | Ahlstrand | 74 | 74 | 73 | 67 | 83 | 82 | 72 | | Avelino | 71 | 70 | 66 | 64 | 83 | 78 | 70 | | Guarnieri | 76 | 77 | 76 | 64 | 82 | 81 | 75 | | Cavendish | 72 | 73 | 70 | 69 | 82 | 80 | 75 | | Ciolek | 74 | 72 | 68 | 59 | 82 | 78 | 60 | | Boeckmans | 73 | 74 | 71 | 74 | 81 | 83 | 60 | | Saber | 75 | 74 | 72 | 76 | 81 | 79 | 70 | | Enger | 73 | 71 | 73 | 58 | 81 | 78 | 77 | | Vantomme | 72 | 74 | 63 | 69 | 81 | 76 | 63 |  Holloway | 78 | 77 | 77 | 65 | 80 | 82 | 71 | | Van Asbroeck | 75 | 75 | 72 | 74 | 80 | 78 | 74 |  Granjel Cabrera | 75 | 75 | 71 | 58 | 80 | 77 | 71 | | Manninen | 74 | 71 | 75 | 58 | 80 | 80 | 76 |  Carsi | 70 | 66 | 69 | 52 | 80 | 82 | 71 | | Ulanowski | 73 | 71 | 66 | 62 | 80 | 77 | 75 |
We also have a number of specialists who have made the trip here hoping to sneak a victory on the first stage. Zepuntke, Viennet and Schädlich are the best of the specialists, but watch out for combination riders like Breen,  Debesay, Chatarunga and Cornu.
| FL | STA | RES | COB | SP | ACC | PRL | | Zepuntke | 72 | 79 | 72 | 81 | 72 | 65 | 65 | | Breen | 77 | 72 | 72 | 78 | 73 | 72 | 68 |  Taubel | 73 | 69 | 73 | 78 | 61 | 64 | 60 | | Debesay | 75 | 75 | 79 | 77 | 69 | 78 | 74 | | Chatarunga | 72 | 79 | 72 | 77 | 70 | 68 | 67 | | Albert | 74 | 74 | 72 | 77 | 62 | 66 | 56 | | Kulppi | 73 | 73 | 69 | 77 | 65 | 70 | 60 | | Kosic | 72 | 74 | 70 | 77 | 59 | 64 | 61 | | Manamalage | 81 | 71 | 64 | 77 | 57 | 56 | 57 | | Viennet | 72 | 75 | 75 | 59 | 55 | 64 | 80 | | Schädlich | 70 | 70 | 71 | 62 | 70 | 76 | 80 | | Cornu | 73 | 71 | 73 | 67 | 59 | 70 | 79 | | Dempster | 74 | 71 | 74 | 60 | 71 | 72 | 79 | | Stannard | 75 | 69 | 70 | 66 | 57 | 72 | 79 | | Janse van Rensburg | 70 | 71 | 71 | 63 | 60 | 76 | 78 | | Campenaerts | 71 | 71 | 73 | 62 | 53 | 65 | 78 | | Enger | 73 | 71 | 73 | 58 | 81 | 78 | 77 |  Van Baarle | 73 | 73 | 76 | 55 | 57 | 62 | 77 |
Spoiler | Last name | First name | Team | | Granjel Cabrera | Raul | Bianchi - Campagnolo | | Kluge | Roger | Bianchi - Campagnolo | | Dockx | Gert | Bianchi - Campagnolo | | Langeveld | Sebastian | Bianchi - Campagnolo | | Archimandritis | Armanto | Bianchi - Campagnolo | | Sobrero | Matteo | Bianchi - Campagnolo | | Lauk | Karl Patrick | Bianchi - Campagnolo | | Ravasi | Edward | Bianchi - Campagnolo | | Boeckmans | Kris | Campari/Asahi development | | Kadri | Blel | Campari/Asahi development | | Christian | Mark | Campari/Asahi development | | Naud | Patrick | Campari/Asahi development | | Lhotellerie | Clement | Campari/Asahi development | | Lasca | Francisco | Campari/Asahi development | | Matsumoto | Yosukue | Campari/Asahi development | | Moschetti | Matteo | Campari/Asahi development | | Van Baarle | Dylan | CYBEX Platinum | | Suryadi | Bambang | CYBEX Platinum | | Bogdanovics | Maris | CYBEX Platinum | | Keough | Jake | CYBEX Platinum | | Abraha | Tesfay | CYBEX Platinum | | Alizadeh | Hossein | CYBEX Platinum | | Van Wyk | Ermin | CYBEX Platinum | | Grosser | Aaron | CYBEX Platinum | | Enger | Sondre Holst | cycleYorkshire | | Viennet | Emilien | cycleYorkshire | | Thwaites | Scott | cycleYorkshire | | Redecker | Heiko | cycleYorkshire | | Stannard | Ian | cycleYorkshire | | Atkins | George | cycleYorkshire | | Williams | Stephen | cycleYorkshire | | Okamoto | Hayato | cycleYorkshire | | Guarnieri | Jacopo | Delvaux | | Breen | Vegard | Delvaux | | Selig | Rüdiger | Delvaux | | Lobato del Valle | Juan Jose | Delvaux | | Hermans | Ben | Delvaux | | Hofstede | Lennard | Delvaux | | Christensen | Ryan | Delvaux | | Zariff | Nur Aiman | Delvaux | | Nepomnyachsniy | Alexandr | DK Zalgiris | | Dzervus | Darijus | DK Zalgiris | | Kruopis | Aidis | DK Zalgiris | | Awang | Azizulhasni | DK Zalgiris | | Ovsyannikov | Alexandr | DK Zalgiris | | Narvaez | Jhonatan | DK Zalgiris | | Beniusis | Justas | DK Zalgiris | | Akhmaevi | Sulkhan | DK Zalgiris | | Avelino | Oscar | Duolingo | | Cornu | Dominique | Duolingo | | Dempster | Zakkari | Duolingo | | Bouglas | Georgios | Duolingo | | Chen | Libin | Duolingo | | Archbold | Shane | Duolingo | | Merlier | Tim | Duolingo | | Affini | Edoardo | Duolingo | | Vingerling | Michael | Equinor Pro Cycling | | Carsi | Mustafa | Equinor Pro Cycling | | Manarelli | Carlos Alexandre | Equinor Pro Cycling | | Kurth | Michael | Equinor Pro Cycling | | Ratto | Daniele | Equinor Pro Cycling | | Quicibal | Romeo | Equinor Pro Cycling | | Quispe | Alain | Equinor Pro Cycling | | Kurianov | Stepan | Equinor Pro Cycling | | Degenkolb | John | Iberia - Team Degenkolb | | Merino Criado | Pedro | Iberia - Team Degenkolb | | Domene | Ramon | Iberia - Team Degenkolb | | King | Ben | Iberia - Team Degenkolb | | Kosic | Nejc | Iberia - Team Degenkolb | | Brockhoff | Jan | Iberia - Team Degenkolb | | Garcia Cortina | Ivan | Iberia - Team Degenkolb | | Gallego Martin | Juan Abenhamar | Iberia - Team Degenkolb | | Cavendish | Mark | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Schädlich | Lucas | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Kreder | Wesley | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Willwohl | Willi | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Gough | Westley | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Park | Sang Hong | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | De Vreese | Laurens | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | van Zyl | Johann | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Van Asbroeck | Tom | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam | | Peeters | Kevin | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam | | Bonifazio | Niccolo | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam | | Joseph | Stijn | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam | | Verhelst | Louis | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam | | Mareczko | Jakub | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam | | Sajnok | Szymon | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam | | Dewulf | Stan | Lierse SK - Pizza Ullo PCTeam | | Holloway | Dan | McCormick Pro Cycling | | Groselj | Ziga | McCormick Pro Cycling | | Sweeting | Robert | McCormick Pro Cycling | | Frankovic | Mateo | McCormick Pro Cycling | | Gaimon | Phillip | McCormick Pro Cycling | | Manamalage | Nipuna Shira | McCormick Pro Cycling | | Weiss | Ethan | McCormick Pro Cycling | | Mostov | Zeke | McCormick Pro Cycling | | Zepuntke | Ruben | Minions | | Vantomme | Maxime | Minions | | Janse van Rensburg | Reinhardt | Minions | | Albert | Niels | Minions | | Lindeman | Bert-Jan | Minions | | Avila | Edwin | Minions | | Marcos | Leandro | Minions | | Flaksis | Andzs | Minions | | Krieger | Alexander | OMV Petrom-albania.al | | Taubel | Christoph | OMV Petrom-albania.al | | Canola | Marco | OMV Petrom-albania.al | | Palyi | Csaba | OMV Petrom-albania.al | | Braico | Alexandr | OMV Petrom-albania.al | | Sefa | Ylber | OMV Petrom-albania.al | | Dima | Emil | OMV Petrom-albania.al | | Balkan | Onur | OMV Petrom-Albania.al | | Saber | Lahcen | Philips | | Havik | Yoeri | Philips | | Wippert | Wouter | Philips | | Poels | Wout | Philips | | Van Zandbeek | Ronan | Philips | | Bovenhuis | Jasper | Philips | | Allegaert | Piet | Philips | | Paret-Peintre | Aurelien | Philips | | Mansilla | Luis Miguel | Signal Iduna | | Dupont | Timothy | Signal Iduna | | Abelouache | Essaid | Signal Iduna | | Kal | Mirac | Signal Iduna | | Nsengimana | Jean Bosco | Signal Iduna | | Van Emden | Jos | Signal Iduna | | Naesen | Lawrence | Signal Iduna | | Siskevicius | Paulius | Signal Iduna | | Ciolek | Gerald | Swisslion Cycling Team | | Mezgec | Luka | Swisslion Cycling Team | | Kreder | Raymond | Swisslion Cycling Team | | Poljanec | Miha | Swisslion Cycling Team | | Zekavica | Jovan | Swisslion Cycling Team | | Orken | Ahmet | Swisslion Cycling Team | | Rajovic | Dusan | Swisslion Cycling Team | | Christodoulos | Michael | Swisslion Cycling Team | | Ulanowski | Maciej | Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff | | Topchanyuk | Artem | Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff | | Polivoda | Oleksandr | Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff | | Lutsyshyn | Roman | Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff | | Young | Darren | Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff | | Rikunov | Petr | Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff | | Riabushenko | Aliaksandr | Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff | | Pronskiy | Vadim | Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff | | Manninen | Matti | Valio - Viking Genetics | | Chatarunga | Sameera | Valio - Viking Genetics | | Kulppi | Olli | Valio - Viking Genetics | | Vanderaerden | Michael | Valio - Viking Genetics | | Larsen | Trond | Valio - Viking Genetics | | Brynjolfsson | Kari | Valio - Viking Genetics | | Aaltio | Risto | Valio - Viking Genetics | | Pietikäinen | Sauli | Valio - Viking Genetics | | Ahlstrand | Jonas | Volvo acc. by Spotify | | Roelandts | Jurgen | Volvo acc. by Spotify | | Campenaerts | Victor | Volvo acc. by Spotify | | Markus | Barry | Volvo acc. by Spotify | | Ariesen | Johim | Volvo acc. by Spotify | | Broers | Remco | Volvo acc. by Spotify | | Tanfield | Harry | Volvo acc. by Spotify | | Budding | Martijn | Volvo acc. by Spotify | | Rowe | Luke | Xero Racing | | Debesay | Mekseb | Xero Racing | | Bester | Shaun Nick | Xero Racing | | Davison | Tom | Xero Racing | | Ngamoki-Cameron | Carl | Xero Racing | | Florez | Miguel | Xero Racing | | Chen | Mingrun | Xero Racing | | Sunnatov | Akramjon | Xero Racing |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 25-06-2020 11:03
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World Champion
Posts: 11395
Joined: 17-12-2014
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Hyped for this one, Debesay and Rowe are a really nice combo here, Rowe was great last year if I recall, think it was a stage podium(s) and/or win and a great GC, now with Debesay here too we have two potential good GC guys and if either of them go for their late attack routine they could do very well for their GC or stage result. Also Bester should be in the GC points unless he gets swamped by sprinters with bonuses thanks to his PRL/COB combo.
Thanks for the preview jph, looking forward to the reports!
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 |
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 25-06-2020 11:05
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
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If we can pretend last year didn't happen, this has always been a good race for us. Van Asbroeck has got the support, but he doesn't seem to like this version of PCM, so we'll see.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 25-06-2020 11:09
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
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Always a nice race to participate in, but I hope PCM18 lets the cobblers have stage one otherwise I'm screwed.
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 25-06-2020 13:30
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
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We got to aim high here, as one of the last races for Guarnieri this season. Hopefully he’ll get off to a good start and won’t be held back too much by the cobbles.
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| quadsas |
Posted on 25-06-2020 13:41
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
Joined: 18-01-2013
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Sort of a homerace, so we had to come here. Can we do anythang? Doubt that boss
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 25-06-2020 15:20
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Should be interesting with that odd ITT, come on Boeckmans
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| DaveTwoBob |
Posted on 25-06-2020 17:14
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2433
Joined: 07-07-2013
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Cav did well last year, hope he can repeat with PCM18.
Thanks for the preview jph
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| viking90 |
Posted on 25-06-2020 19:07
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
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We have as strong sprint squad here as we can have, except Stallaert....
Lets gets some wins  |
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 26-06-2020 02:00
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3264
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Tough field here. No pressure on McCormick in such elevated company. Hope the boys can enjoy the scenery, make a breakaway or two and then make sure Holloway is the right place with 5k to go.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 26-06-2020 05:42
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Directeur Sportif
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Just like all of Kelderman's races, every race that Saber goes to is an important race for us. They're all important any way with our current situation!
Hope Saber can take advantage of his unique skill combo, and hope PCM does us some favours for a change.
Thanks for the preview jph 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 10:24
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 26-06-2020 10:32
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
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Bringing the cobble squad was a good decision, many riders in the top 25. However, with all the bonus seconds the sprinters will get, not many of them will remain there...
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 26-06-2020 10:38
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
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Ah, so close for Breen! Though perhaps a good thing for Guarnieri’s chances that Breen doesn’t have a leader’s jersey to defend. And in any case, I believe it’s the best ever TT-result for a Delvaux rider, so I’ pretty happy
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 26-06-2020 10:46
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
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Yeah, this calls for a few good headsmashes on the desk.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 26-06-2020 10:53
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World Champion
Posts: 11395
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Wow, Debesay, awesome! Had a hope for a great result but didn't expect such a weight towards COB, love it! Obviously with sprinters so close by (including TVA right there able to overtake him without even need of bonuses) it's a very fragile lead but I will gladly take Xero's first ever TT win (after that disastrous Arenberg where his win goal failed to materialise) in such a style.
Rowe has been ignored in preview and the sprint mentions despite his credentials finishing fourth here last year, but a decent day from him ending as the fourth best major sprinter (go Saber btw!), hopefully he can get a great GC as well. As I said pre-race, hoping for creative racing over the next four days by our flatbeasts to find their way into the bonuses to stay relevant on GC. |
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 26-06-2020 11:11
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Team Leader
Posts: 7406
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Fine stage from Lhotellerie
Thanks for the report
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| DaveTwoBob |
Posted on 26-06-2020 17:49
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2433
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Super ride from Cav in the ITT, right in the mix with the other sprinters. Fingers crossed for good positioning in the sprints.
Thanks for the report jph and congrats to jandal.
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| quadsas |
Posted on 26-06-2020 20:52
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
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interesting ride by Nepo, just dont lose time and we may score a whole dozen points total
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 26-06-2020 20:58
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Directeur Sportif
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Fantastic stuff, grande Debesay. Go Saber though!
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 26-06-2020 22:38
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
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A fine result for Guarnieri, but not optimal positioning going into the final K's. Hopefully upcoming mass sprints will be more organized.
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Baltic Chain Tour
