Hong Kong Challenge Discussion
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Laurens147 |
Posted on 10-10-2023 07:53
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1122
Joined: 26-04-2020
PCM$: 800.00
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[C1] Hong Kong Challenge
Year | Winner | | | | | | | | | | 2022 | Timofey Kritskiy (Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team) | | | | | | | | | | 2021 | Eduard Alexander Beltran (Cedevita) | | | | | | | | | | 2020 | Wilco Kelderman (Philips) | | | | | | | | | | 2019 | Vincenzo Nibali (Euskaltel - Elior) | | | | | | | | | | 2018 | Leopold König (Valio - DeLaval) | | | | | | | | | |
1 | Timofey Kritskiy | Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team | - | | | | | | | | 2 | Fausto Masnada | Jura GIANTS | 0'18" | | | | | | | | 3 | Rafael Reis | Red Bull Zalgiris | 0'25" | | | | | | | | 4 | Bonaventure Uwizeyimana | Bralirwa - Stevens | 0'26" | | | | | | | | 5 | Benjamin Dyball | Trans Looney Tunes | 0'36" | | | | | | | | 6 | Joseph Areruya | Xero Racing | 0'44" | | | | | | | | 7 | Jesus Herrada | Volcanica - Fox | 0'56" | | | | | | | | 8 | Lennard Kämna | Carlsberg - Danske Bank | 1'01" | | | | | | | | 9 | Nicola Conci | Zara - Irizar | 1'02" | | | | | | | | 10 | Ian Boswell | McCormick Pro Cycling | 1'03" | | | | | | | |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | Team | Division | Masnada | Fausto | ITA | 30 | 77 | 76 | 73 | 75 | 73 | Jura GIANTS | PCT | Vansevenant | Mauri | BEL | 24 | 73 | 78 | 69 | 77 | 78 | Fastned | PCT | McNulty | Brandon | USA | 25 | 80 | 74 | 77 | 77 | 68 | McCormick Pro Cycling | PCT | Pidcock | Thomas | GBR | 24 | 74 | 75 | 71 | 77 | 80 | Xero Racing | PCT | Higuita | Sergio | COL | 26 | 78 | 79 | 65 | 78 | 75 | Los Pollos Hermanos | PCT | Errazkin | Xuban | ESP | 27 | 74 | 78 | 70 | 75 | 73 | Jura GIANTS | PCT | Eiking | Odd Christian | NOR | 29 | 69 | 81 | 66 | 74 | 76 | Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team | CT | Meurisse | Xandro | BEL | 31 | 74 | 77 | 67 | 74 | 78 | Lampre - Pinarello | PCT | Goos | Marc | NED | 33 | 76 | 73 | 75 | 74 | 72 | Stela-Vita | CT | Turgis | Anthony | FRA | 29 | 67 | 79 | 66 | 78 | 77 | Lampre - Pinarello | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | Team | Division | Zmorka | Marlen | UKR | 30 | 61 | 66 | 82 | 75 | 70 | Los Pollos Hermanos | PCT | Paillot | Yoann | FRA | 32 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 74 | 64 | Assa Abloy | PCT | Sütterlin | Jasha | GER | 31 | 59 | 65 | 80 | 77 | 60 | Los Pollos Hermanos | PCT | Van Moer | Brent | BEL | 25 | 61 | 70 | 79 | 78 | 65 | Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team | CT | Haugard | Phan Age | NOR | 31 | 57 | 60 | 79 | 77 | 67 | Team UBS - Tissot | PCT | Politt | Nils | GER | 29 | 63 | 66 | 78 | 73 | 65 | Bralirwa - Stevens | PCT | Van Niekerk | Morne | RSA | 28 | 61 | 67 | 78 | 75 | 67 | Xero Racing | PCT | Bissegger | Stefan | SWI | 25 | 68 | 69 | 78 | 77 | 73 | Jura GIANTS | PCT | Verona | Carlos | ESP | 31 | 54 | 62 | 77 | 75 | 63 | Bralirwa - Stevens | PCT | Oram | James | NZL | 30 | 58 | 64 | 77 | 72 | 70 | Glanbia | PCT |
Let's look at all participating teams in detail:
| | | | | | | | | | | Air New Zealand-Alfa Romeo | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Archbold | Shane | NZL | 34 | 55 | 59 | 74 | 66 | 70 | | | Brown | Connor | NZL | 25 | 66 | 67 | 66 | 68 | 68 | | | Gaze | Samuel | NZL | 28 | 63 | 69 | 58 | 79 | 71 | | | Insausti | Jon Ander | ESP | 31 | 53 | 64 | 66 | 73 | 66 | | | Puccio | Salvatore | ITA | 34 | 54 | 64 | 59 | 68 | 52 | | | Reddish | Nick | NZL | 27 | 62 | 67 | 66 | 75 | 72 | | | Vink | Michael | NZL | 32 | 67 | 75 | 69 | 71 | 68 | | | Zariff | Nur Aiman | MAS | 26 | 58 | 60 | 60 | 67 | 80 | | |
We start this preview with a CT team, the first of ten participating CT teams.
Michael Vink looks like the best option for them, although the first objective will be the early break.
| | | | | | | | | | | Assa Abloy | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Bergstrom Frisk | Erik | SWD | 24 | 70 | 67 | 62 | 70 | 62 | | | Chaves | Johan Esteban | COL | 33 | 75 | 78 | 67 | 72 | 71 | | | Faglum Karlsson | Marcus | SWD | 29 | 79 | 73 | 73 | 75 | 68 | | | Gebremedhin | Awet | SWD | 31 | 77 | 74 | 64 | 74 | 75 | | | Gougeard | Alexis | FRA | 30 | 66 | 70 | 70 | 76 | 65 | | | Hänninen | Jaako | FIN | 26 | 70 | 74 | 70 | 72 | 72 | | | Hoole | Daan | NED | 24 | 68 | 66 | 70 | 73 | 68 | | | Paillot | Yoann | FRA | 32 | 70 | 71 | 80 | 74 | 64 | | |
Assa Abloy brings Johan Esteban Chaves and Marcus Faglum Karlsson as GC leaders to HK.
Although maybe they miss the necessary punch in the hilly stages. Yoann Paillot is one the favorites for stage 2, maybe he can surprise in GC?
| | | | | | | | | | | Babymetal Cycling | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Arashiro | Yudai | JPN | 28 | 60 | 64 | 62 | 67 | 75 | | | De Laat | Jasper | NED | 29 | 70 | 72 | 64 | 67 | 68 | | | Johnson | Cooper | USA | 22 | 65 | 68 | 62 | 67 | 67 | | | Kawasaki | Miori | JPN | 24 | 70 | 69 | 68 | 73 | 67 | | | Niu | Yikui | CHN | 29 | 74 | 72 | 67 | 69 | 74 | | | Riabushenko | Aliaksandr | BLR | 28 | 63 | 68 | 62 | 74 | 77 | | | Verschaeve | Viktor | BEL | 25 | 76 | 73 | 71 | 75 | 71 | | | Welch | Patrick | USA | 22 | 65 | 64 | 66 | 59 | 59 | | |
As an (new) Asian based team, manager TheUlamog and his riders will be looking forward to race here.
Belgian Viktor Verschaeve should be their best shot for GC. Apart from that, they will be looking for breakaways and tv coverage.
| | | | | | | | | | | Bralirwa - Stevens | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Eyob | Mektel | ERI | 30 | 76 | 76 | 66 | 69 | 66 | | | Hadi | Janvier | RWA | 31 | 74 | 72 | 74 | 70 | 71 | | | Izagirre | Ion | ESP | 34 | 72 | 79 | 75 | 69 | 61 | | | Mugisha | Moise | RWA | 26 | 71 | 75 | 62 | 74 | 73 | | | Mugisha | Samuel | RWA | 26 | 64 | 70 | 74 | 74 | 68 | | | Politt | Nils | GER | 29 | 63 | 66 | 78 | 73 | 65 | | | Uwizeyimana | Bonaventure | RWA | 30 | 76 | 72 | 74 | 75 | 68 | | | Verona | Carlos | ESP | 31 | 54 | 62 | 77 | 75 | 63 | | |
Ion Izagirre leads Bralirwa - Stevens here in Hong Kong. His energy stats makes the Spaniard an outsider.
With Politt and Verona they should score in the TT.
| | | | | | | | | | | Caja Rural Cycling Team | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Balloni | Alfredo | ITA | 34 | 57 | 63 | 75 | 66 | 62 | | | Barbero | Carlos | ESP | 32 | 66 | 75 | 64 | 72 | 74 | | | Domene | Ramon | ESP | 33 | 50 | 56 | 56 | 66 | 73 | | | Ezquerra | Jesus | ESP | 33 | 64 | 70 | 61 | 69 | 69 | | | Garcia | Jhojan | COL | 25 | 71 | 70 | 65 | 71 | 71 | | | Guardini | Andrea | ITA | 34 | 52 | 61 | 56 | 64 | 77 | | | Quevedo | Xavier | VEN | 32 | 71 | 78 | 65 | 72 | 75 | | | Sinkeldam | Ramon | NED | 34 | 62 | 72 | 61 | 65 | 63 | | |
Xavier Quevedo from Venezuela is someone who will target the hilly stages, but his TT is below par.
Just like the other CT teams, the focus of manager 2kignacio2020 will be on an attacking style.
| | | | | | | | | | | Colombini Cycling | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Bdadou | Youssef | MOR | 23 | 63 | 71 | 69 | 67 | 72 | | | Bonello | Daniel | MLT | 23 | 66 | 68 | 67 | 69 | 66 | | | Borg | Luke | MLT | 21 | 66 | 67 | 61 | 65 | 71 | | | Gebrezgabihier | Amanuel | ERI | 29 | 70 | 79 | 66 | 74 | 69 | | | Jele | Kwanele | SWZ | 23 | 72 | 62 | 52 | 71 | 68 | | | Martino | Stan | SMR | 23 | 71 | 65 | 64 | 70 | 67 | | | Tiberi | Antonio | SMR | 22 | 68 | 65 | 68 | 66 | 67 | | | Xandri | Jan | AND | 29 | 76 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 69 | | |
Newly promoted Colombini has their hopes on Amanuel Gebrezgabihier, only he will lose quite some time in the TT.
Maybe Jan Xandri can take over his role, as the man from Andorra is more allrounded. The rest of the team is 23 and younger, mainly for the experience.
| | | | | | | | | | | Ekoi - Le Creuset | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Garibian | Arman | MOL | 23 | 71 | 68 | 69 | 71 | 69 | | | Hopkins | Dylan | AUS | 22 | 68 | 68 | 67 | 70 | 65 | | | Lammertink | Maurits | NED | 33 | 67 | 75 | 65 | 71 | 67 | | | Le Gac | Olivier | FRA | 30 | 69 | 77 | 60 | 74 | 69 | | | Paulus | Daniel | AUT | 30 | 74 | 77 | 64 | 68 | 71 | | | Teuns | Dylan | BEL | 31 | 75 | 78 | 64 | 73 | 72 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ekoi - Le Creuset brings a short staffed team of 6 riders to Hong Kong. Dylan Teuns is the leader for them here.
Lammertink, Le Gac, Paulus and co could surprise from a breakaway.
| | | | | | | | | | | Fastned | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | De Kleijn | Arvid | NED | 29 | 61 | 75 | 60 | 71 | 75 | | | Denz | Nico | GER | 29 | 74 | 76 | 67 | 70 | 73 | | | Fisher-Black | Finn | NZL | 22 | 63 | 64 | 62 | 69 | 71 | | | Hessmann | Michel | GER | 22 | 67 | 65 | 71 | 67 | 67 | | | Van der Hoorn | Taco | NED | 30 | 60 | 70 | 55 | 69 | 66 | | | van Sintmaartensdijk | Roel | NED | 22 | 61 | 63 | 66 | 67 | 70 | | | Vanhoucke | Harm | BEL | 26 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 68 | | | Vansevenant | Mauri | BEL | 24 | 73 | 78 | 69 | 77 | 78 | | |
Mauri Vansevenant is another Belgian to watch, as he leads Fastned in this race.
It remains to be seen how he will perform in the TT.
| | | | | | | | | | | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Barta | William | USA | 27 | 76 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 67 | | | Burmann | Wolfgang | CHL | 32 | 76 | 70 | 66 | 73 | 76 | | | Kittel | Marcel | GER | 35 | 51 | 60 | 77 | 64 | 67 | | | Nikiema | Bachirou | BUR | 26 | 70 | 77 | 62 | 74 | 76 | | | Pokälä | Samuel | FIN | 33 | 63 | 70 | 76 | 71 | 63 | | | Seboka | Matala | LES | 29 | 80 | 62 | 53 | 70 | 67 | | | Selimovic | Husein | BIH | 22 | 68 | 69 | 60 | 72 | 73 | | | Sicard | Romain | FRA | 35 | 78 | 74 | 72 | 73 | 64 | | |
Another newly promoted team is Genii Hyundai. With Romain Sicard they bring an experienced GC leader.
His acceleration could be the downside. Marcel Kittel is one to watch in the TT.
| | | | | | | | | | | Gjensidige Pro Cycling Team | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Eiking | Odd Christian | NOR | 29 | 69 | 81 | 66 | 74 | 76 | | | Fjellheim | Henrik Teslo | NOR | 22 | 66 | 67 | 63 | 66 | 66 | | | Lunder | Eirik | NOR | 24 | 62 | 66 | 58 | 67 | 77 | | | Skjerping | Kristoffer | NOR | 30 | 70 | 77 | 62 | 67 | 65 | | | Tjotta | Martin | NOR | 22 | 67 | 67 | 67 | 65 | 70 | | | Van Moer | Brent | BEL | 25 | 61 | 70 | 79 | 78 | 65 | | | Van Stayen | Michael | BEL | 35 | 58 | 73 | 54 | 62 | 69 | | | Wandahl | Frederik | DEN | 22 | 63 | 70 | 64 | 72 | 68 | | |
Odd Christian Eiking will be looking for revenge, after his 4th spot in C2's Gisborne.
Just like Vansevenant, his TT performance will be crucial in his hunt for GC. With Van Moer they also have a favorite for the TT.
| | | | | | | | | | | Glanbia | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Cheyne | Jordan | CAN | 32 | 58 | 66 | 76 | 75 | 67 | | | Downey | Sean | IRL | 33 | 62 | 66 | 76 | 72 | 70 | | | Dunne | Conor | IRL | 31 | 74 | 74 | 69 | 72 | 69 | | | Eaton | Daniel | USA | 30 | 62 | 69 | 77 | 76 | 68 | | | Main | Kent | RSA | 27 | 75 | 71 | 74 | 75 | 69 | | | McKenna | Sean | IRL | 29 | 74 | 76 | 64 | 72 | 77 | | | O'Loughlin | Michael | IRL | 26 | 65 | 68 | 77 | 74 | 64 | | | Oram | James | NZL | 30 | 58 | 64 | 77 | 72 | 70 | | |
Glanbia has riders for all stages here, although they miss a true leader who can combine both.
Their TT depth is something that stands out immediately.
| | | | | | | | | | | Jura GIANTS | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Bissegger | Stefan | SWI | 25 | 68 | 69 | 78 | 77 | 73 | | | Darbellay | Valentin | SWI | 26 | 77 | 71 | 75 | 75 | 64 | | | Davies | Scott | GBR | 28 | 68 | 66 | 69 | 68 | 68 | | | Errazkin | Xuban | ESP | 27 | 74 | 78 | 70 | 75 | 73 | | | Kung | Stefan | SWI | 30 | 70 | 73 | 77 | 72 | 71 | | | Marchewka | Krzysztof | POL | 30 | 64 | 60 | 77 | 75 | 64 | | | Masnada | Fausto | ITA | 30 | 77 | 76 | 73 | 75 | 73 | | | Page | Hugo | FRA | 22 | 65 | 66 | 61 | 68 | 72 | | |
Fausto Masnada was already runner-up last year. He will be targeting the top spot this season for Jura GIANTS.
Also Errazkin has the necessary skills to do well here. And the Swiss team also has Bissegger, Kung and Marchewka for the TT.
| | | | | | | | | | | Lampre - Pinarello | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Antonelli | Michael | SMR | 24 | 71 | 70 | 63 | 70 | 72 | | | Baroncini | Filippo | ITA | 23 | 64 | 71 | 71 | 75 | 70 | | | Camrda | Karel | CZE | 22 | 66 | 67 | 64 | 70 | 71 | | | Kumara | Amith Udaya | SRI | 28 | 62 | 67 | 54 | 70 | 67 | | | Medvedev | Sergey | UZB | 28 | 60 | 63 | 69 | 74 | 66 | | | Meurisse | Xandro | BEL | 31 | 74 | 77 | 67 | 74 | 78 | | | Riesebeek | Oscar | NED | 31 | 70 | 73 | 67 | 75 | 72 | | | Turgis | Anthony | FRA | 29 | 67 | 79 | 66 | 78 | 77 | | |
Lampre - Pinarello has an interesting duo in Anthony Turgis and Xandro Meurisse for the hilly stages.
Their TT performance will be again crucial.
| | | | | | | | | | | Los Pollos Hermanos | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Aular | Orluis | VEN | 27 | 81 | 72 | 70 | 75 | 69 | | | Beltran | Guillermo Andres | CHL | 24 | 74 | 74 | 64 | 71 | 67 | | | Higuita | Sergio | COL | 26 | 78 | 79 | 65 | 78 | 75 | | | Moutsios | Martinos | GRE | 22 | 59 | 61 | 69 | 68 | 72 | | | Osorio | Alejandro | COL | 25 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 68 | | | Pira | Yesid Albeiro | COL | 24 | 76 | 68 | 62 | 67 | 67 | | | Sütterlin | Jasha | GER | 31 | 59 | 65 | 80 | 77 | 60 | | | Zmorka | Marlen | UKR | 30 | 61 | 66 | 82 | 75 | 70 | | |
Sergio Higuita is the leader for Los Pollos Hermanos, as he came over from Isostar. Only downpoint is his TT.
With Sütterlin and Zmorka they have two excellent options in the TT.
| | | | | | | | | | | McCormick Pro Cycling | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Affini | Edoardo | ITA | 27 | 66 | 67 | 77 | 79 | 70 | | | Bagioli | Andrea | ITA | 24 | 71 | 77 | 69 | 72 | 76 | | | Kuss | Sepp | USA | 29 | 78 | 71 | 64 | 76 | 69 | | | Matsuda | Shoi | JPN | 24 | 65 | 70 | 75 | 74 | 71 | | | McNulty | Brandon | USA | 25 | 80 | 74 | 77 | 77 | 68 | | | Mohammad | Fikri Azka | INA | 27 | 70 | 74 | 74 | 72 | 72 | | | Narvaez | Jhonatan | ECU | 26 | 72 | 77 | 69 | 71 | 74 | | | Seigle | Roman | FRA | 29 | 72 | 77 | 64 | 73 | 72 | | |
McCormick is another team that promoted from CT. With Brandon McNulty, they have a favorite for this race.
The big question is if he can keep up with the accelerations of the pure puncheurs. He has some excellent support from Bagioli, Narvaez and Seigle.
| | | | | | | | | | | Mercatone Uno - Weba | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Buratti | Nicolo | ITA | 22 | 58 | 66 | 58 | 72 | 70 | | | Dall'Oste | Daniele | ITA | 32 | 76 | 76 | 67 | 74 | 71 | | | Lilovski | Dobrin | BUL | 28 | 67 | 77 | 66 | 70 | 73 | | | Malucelli | Matteo | ITA | 30 | 60 | 65 | 61 | 69 | 73 | | | Mozzato | Luca | ITA | 25 | 59 | 67 | 59 | 73 | 69 | | | Turner | Ben | GBR | 24 | 63 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 70 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
New founded Mercatone Uno - Weba has only six riders here.
They hope to be as agressive as in Down Under, where Blouwe picked up the KOM jersey.
| | | | | | | | | | | SEE Turtles | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Abreu | Jorge | VEN | 33 | 72 | 72 | 74 | 69 | 71 | | | Duchesne | Antoine | CAN | 32 | 67 | 77 | 68 | 72 | 79 | | | Ganjkhanlou | Mohammad | IRN | 26 | 61 | 64 | 62 | 67 | 75 | | | Huera | Richard | ECU | 24 | 66 | 67 | 61 | 68 | 66 | | | Kelly | Joshua | BAR | 27 | 66 | 72 | 74 | 73 | 72 | | | Reguigui | Youcef | ALG | 33 | 75 | 70 | 72 | 67 | 67 | | | Siriwardena | Kashyapa | SRI | 31 | 74 | 73 | 72 | 73 | 68 | | | Trillini | Walter | ARG | 32 | 64 | 75 | 65 | 69 | 76 | | |
Another new founded team with SEE Turtles. Maybe Antoine Duchesne can surprise in GC.
They also have some riders that can survive the hilly finals when they go in the breakaway.
| | | | | | | | | | | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Barbin | Enrico | ITA | 33 | 67 | 77 | 62 | 72 | 75 | | | Blikra | Havard | NOR | 32 | 75 | 75 | 65 | 70 | 72 | | | Felline | Fabio | ITA | 33 | 65 | 76 | 63 | 72 | 77 | | | Hugentobler | Gregory | SWI | 32 | 68 | 78 | 58 | 69 | 76 | | | Kamzong | Clovis | CMR | 32 | 73 | 72 | 67 | 69 | 68 | | | Koshevoy | Ilia | BLR | 32 | 76 | 73 | 68 | 72 | 69 | | | Rota | Lorenzo | ITA | 28 | 71 | 76 | 61 | 74 | 71 | | | Van Heerden | Eddie | RSA | 29 | 72 | 75 | 66 | 70 | 74 | | |
Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh has some crazy focus on the hills department, especially for a new team.
They will be targeting stages 1 and 3 though, as the TT setup isn't good enough at all.
| | | | | | | | | | | Stela-Vita | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Batmunkh | Maral-Erdene | MGL | 29 | 54 | 65 | 63 | 72 | 74 | | | Goos | Marc | NED | 33 | 76 | 73 | 75 | 74 | 72 | | | Groselj | Ziga | SLO | 30 | 63 | 75 | 72 | 73 | 72 | | | Luchshenko | Sergey | KAZ | 29 | 65 | 75 | 63 | 72 | 75 | | | Merlier | Tim | BEL | 31 | 56 | 68 | 58 | 72 | 74 | | | Touze | Damien | FRA | 27 | 66 | 70 | 61 | 73 | 72 | | | Urcelay | Adria | AND | 29 | 74 | 70 | 62 | 67 | 71 | | | Villella | Davide | ITA | 32 | 65 | 77 | 61 | 74 | 80 | | |
Davide Villella was picked up from Isostar. The Italian can lead in the hilly stages for Stela-Vita.
But for GC we could look for Marc Goos, depending on this survival skills in these two other stages.
| | | | | | | | | | | Strava | CT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Bauhaus | Phil | GER | 29 | 56 | 61 | 56 | 65 | 75 | | | Bernas | Pawel | POL | 33 | 60 | 74 | 65 | 69 | 71 | | | Bouhanni | Nacer | FRA | 33 | 54 | 62 | 54 | 67 | 75 | | | Kreder | Wesley | NED | 33 | 63 | 74 | 62 | 69 | 76 | | | Maesen | William | BEL | 32 | 75 | 72 | 61 | 73 | 60 | | | Nielsen | Joanis Albert | FAR | 30 | 54 | 67 | 66 | 75 | 71 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Strava have selected only six riders for this race. I think they will be focussed on the breakaways.
| | | | | | | | | | | Team UBS - Tissot | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Badilatti | Matteo | SWI | 31 | 76 | 75 | 65 | 72 | 65 | | | Barbio | Antonio | POR | 30 | 74 | 72 | 76 | 73 | 67 | | | Blum | Elia | SWI | 22 | 60 | 67 | 72 | 70 | 66 | | | Fominykh | Daniil | KAZ | 32 | 56 | 67 | 77 | 71 | 69 | | | Haugard | Phan Age | NOR | 31 | 57 | 60 | 79 | 77 | 67 | | | Jacobs | Johan | SWI | 26 | 60 | 69 | 62 | 76 | 67 | | | Müller | Patrick | SWI | 27 | 67 | 80 | 63 | 71 | 73 | | | Reichenbach | Sebastien | SWI | 34 | 70 | 76 | 64 | 64 | 64 | | |
Patrick Müller and Phan Age Haugard could have some success in single stages.
For GC the guys from Team UBS-Tissot don't have a good hybrid combination.
| | | | | | | | | | | Trans Looney Tunes | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Bystrom | Sven Erik | NOR | 31 | 68 | 79 | 61 | 72 | 76 | | | Jang | Gyung Gu | KOR | 33 | 75 | 75 | 61 | 68 | 72 | | | Murn | Bostjan | FRA | 22 | 66 | 65 | 67 | 72 | 66 | | | Piaskowy | Emanuel | POL | 32 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 70 | 68 | | | Senyenov | Roman | KAZ | 30 | 62 | 77 | 63 | 73 | 73 | | | Stimulak | Klemen | SLO | 33 | 58 | 65 | 76 | 70 | 72 | | | Tulett | Ben | GBR | 22 | 64 | 65 | 70 | 69 | 68 | | | Waeytens | Zico | BEL | 32 | 71 | 80 | 65 | 70 | 73 | | |
Trans Looney Tunes will focus on Bystrom and Waeytens in the hilly stages.
Just like UBS-Tissot, I don't see an immediate GC contender.
| | | | | | | | | | | Xero Racing | PCT |
Last name | First name | Country | Age | MO | HI | TT | RS | AC | | | Boileau | Alan | FRA | 24 | 72 | 72 | 64 | 69 | 72 | | | Fouche | James | NZL | 25 | 78 | 75 | 69 | 73 | 75 | | | Kipkemboi | Salim | KEN | 25 | 75 | 77 | 57 | 73 | 76 | | | Lazkano | Oier | ESP | 24 | 66 | 72 | 59 | 69 | 71 | | | Pidcock | Thomas | GBR | 24 | 74 | 75 | 71 | 77 | 80 | | | Strong | Corbin | NZL | 23 | 71 | 70 | 58 | 74 | 73 | | | Van Niekerk | Morne | RSA | 28 | 61 | 67 | 78 | 75 | 67 | | | Vermeersch | Florian | BEL | 24 | 62 | 67 | 70 | 73 | 76 | | |
Xero Racing is the last team in this preview. Last but not least, as they bring Pidcock in their HK line-up.
He looks like the perfect hybrid for this race, especially with Fouche and Kipkemboi in support. Van Niekerk will focus on the TT.
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Race reports will be brought by roturn
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Good luck to all participants!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
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Nemolito |
Posted on 10-10-2023 08:06
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3367
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
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Higuita or Aular for a hopeful top-10 on the GC and a possible stage result for the former, with our two top time trialists here also aiming for a stage win. This could be a very good race, let's hope it is indeed
Thanks for the great preview, Laurens!
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cunego59 |
Posted on 10-10-2023 08:09
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Team Manager
Posts: 6508
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1090.00
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First big test for Izagirre. Could be a podium, could be nothing. Uwizeyimana is here to pick up the slack if Ion fails, he was 4th last year, so we should come away with something, hopefully. Fairly weak TT field here, so Politt/Verona have a chance to actually do okay.
I expect this to be a fairly easy win for McNulty, unless stage 1 is completely crazy. Masnada could well repeat his podium from last year, too.
Good luck everyone and thanks for the preview Laurens!
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jandal7 |
Posted on 10-10-2023 08:33
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Don't see Pidcock as a favourite at all here with 75HI and 71TT - would love to be proven wrong though. Higher hopes for Fouche really but between those two, Kipkemboi for the road stages and Van Niekerk for the ITT we have a lot of possible scorers and I don't mind who gets the points so long as we get some
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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Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 10-10-2023 09:33
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Not the highest of expectations here, but hope Paillot can get a good result on the TT stage and that him, Faglum Karlsson or Chaves can get a decent GC result, depending on how hard the hill stages will be.
Thanks for the preview and looking forward to the reports!
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MacC |
Posted on 10-10-2023 10:03
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Sprinter
Posts: 1594
Joined: 15-07-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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Thanks for the great preview.
Yeah, Glanbia caught between two stools here- an ok puncher with poor TT skill and a load of OK TTers with no hill ability. Best we can hope for is probably decent stage results.
Good luck all
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Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 23:33
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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IP: None |
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Ollfardh |
Posted on 10-10-2023 10:37
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Another race we're not in, so probably a last place on the January rankings.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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redordead |
Posted on 10-10-2023 10:47
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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One of the most random races in all of MG this one. Surprised a few more TT hybrids didn't take a punt with just 3 RDs, but I do know what the race looks like when it goes badly for you
"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
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Caspi |
Posted on 10-10-2023 10:50
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 369
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 10300.00
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Only targeting stage 1 and 3 as stated in the preview. However, this is probably Koshevoy's only opportunity this year to ride for GC, so maybe he can surprise with a lucky top-25?
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hillis91 |
Posted on 10-10-2023 16:09
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Team Leader
Posts: 5895
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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Good luck everybody!
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Fabianski |
Posted on 10-10-2023 21:02
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4669
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Well, I'm surprised to see Masnada actually having a realistic chance to get another Top 5 GC result - I expected a stronger field here. Especially not seeing Reis here after last year's 3rd place feels a little weird - although I fully agree with red that this is one of the most unpredictable races on the calendar.
Especially stage 1 feels random every single year - you just have to be among the lucky ones making the first group. In that sense, I can see why e.g. Dunbar isn't back after last year's disaster - and no other top stage racer besides McNulty.
Given the unpredictability, we bring pretty much every rider type we have - a stage racer with Darbellay, Masnada as one of the stronger hybrids, Errazkin as a puncheur (although his predecessor Moscon never did anything remotely useful here), and a TTer who can handle some uphills with Küng. Plus Bissegger and Marchewka for the TT stage. But despite the feeling that we have one of the stronger teams here, there's no guarantee of succeeding - like Cedevita, we also know how it feels to be on the wrong side from previous editions.
I agree with cunego that McNulty should be the clear-cut favorite here - if he makes it through stage 1, and if the stronger puncheurs are unable to open up sizeable gaps. But if Kritskiy won it last year, McNulty should win this edition by a minute or more tbh. And he's got a crazy strong support cast for a C1 race.
Faglum Karlsson and Aular are the other strong climbers present; I'd rather bet on the former though, because of his stronger TT skills.
And then there's Izagirre as the big unknown - especially the longer ascent on day 3 might just be too much for him. But among the pure puncheurs, I don't really see an obvious GC candidate - Vansevenant might keep his TT losses small enough, which I obviously hope will also be true for Errazkin.
But in terms of Mo-Hi-TT hybrid, there's really just McNulty who's clearly stronger than Masnada, so there should be some hope for us...
Thanks for the preview, and good luck everyone!
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whitejersey |
Posted on 10-10-2023 21:27
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Thanks for a great preview, just here for vibes, I have 0 expectations for what our result will be here.
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Eden95 |
Posted on 10-10-2023 23:40
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Very open field considering how many big riders aren’t making an appearance. The first stage is too random for me to bother with sending Dunbar here - him and Beltran losing like 5 minutes last season was enough for me to bin this race forever. It feels good not having to play the lottery here and in the tdu for the first time this season, definitely helps with the sanity good luck to all!
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett
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Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 11-10-2023 02:12
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3259
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Clearly the goal here has to be the win in McNultiy's only C1 appearance. Had 3 race days to use and figured Kritsky suggested a McNulty-like rider can win. I didn't notice the Dunbar example, so fingers crossed on that one. Also who knows how PCM22 impacts this race.
Thanks for the preview.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling
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Croatia14 |
Posted on 11-10-2023 07:24
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Very cool preview! This is McNultys to loose.
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KaiserAdler |
Posted on 11-10-2023 08:05
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Domestique
Posts: 570
Joined: 13-07-2022
PCM$: 5800.00
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No real clue what to expect here. We’re just here to goof around really. Initially had Reis planned to go here but had to scrap this one in favor for other more desirable races. So that left me with Gebregz to take charge. Should only be stage 1&3 where we really fight at the front.
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roturn |
Posted on 11-10-2023 09:42
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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First of all, thanks for the nice preview Laurens. Having Vansevenant here, I felt it would be easier to not write a biased preview.
Seeing you have him on no.2 spot in your list feels higher than I had put him even but seeing the outcome of stage 1, I guess, both of us had a bit higher expectations.
What to say about stage 1, it was actually really a pity that the game AI did ignore puncheurs with too low mo or in especially without a TT backup, which in especially was shown with Eiking/Waeytens or ignored those with more allround team mates.
For my team seeing Vansevenant in the very last position all race with 5 team mates around him was hard to see. Apparently Vanhoucke was seen as GC option and with mediocre TT and better mountain stat, it might play out well now with the hill stage done without a big loss. Though it`s the second race already, where Vansevenant was high in the favourite list and didn`t show anything. Probably must slowly expect a low scoring year for him, which to be honest, was calculated by me anyway.
Still seeing how Pidcock flew in the end, I guess Vansevenant strength wise easily could have gotten some stage points in the TdU or here clearly.
Congrats to Higuita/Teuns, who at least showed that when a strong enough stage favourite, the GC chances didn`t necessarily ignore you fully. |
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redordead |
Posted on 11-10-2023 09:47
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Higuita doing a nice 2021 Beltran impression
"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
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cunego59 |
Posted on 11-10-2023 09:49
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Team Manager
Posts: 6508
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1090.00
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Congrats Nemo, Higuita really showing off here. I'm happy with the stage overall. Moise Mugisha is his usual aggressive self, which is nice. No shame in not beating Barbin and Bystrom, and maybe he can attack again on day three and pick up more points. Then, good to see that both Uwi and Izagirre made it in the main group, even if Izagirre seemed to struggle. I'm hoping the TT will put both of them in good enough positions that the game recognizes them as GC contenders and puts them near the front of the pack into the final climb, and then they just have to be strong enough. The final stage isn't very long, so that should hopefully limit the impact of Ion's sta/res deficit. Neat to see Eyob so strong, even if no points came of it.
Thanks for the report roturn!
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jandal7 |
Posted on 11-10-2023 09:51
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Love to see my boy Higuita tearing it up!
Great Xero debut for Pidcock looking pretty strong and gaining a few bonuses. Not sure if he has the climbing strength for Stage 3 but we'll see. Fouche should do and happy with him finishing in the main group. Both will lose time tomorrow but hopefully on course for decent GC points between them.
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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