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Strada Appia Antica - Discussion
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 02-12-2023 07:24
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Classics Specialist
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 Strada Appia Antica
Welcome to Italy for the Strada Appia Antica! The race delivers some of the most beautiful views of the MG calendar year, as the riders have to conquer the same roads many emperors did before them. Only one rider will be crowned as the new emperor tomorrow though, as the rest will suffer the same fate as Russell Crowe in the movie Gladiator. Last year’s winner  Senechal is back to defend his title and become the third man in history, after Sam Bewley and Lukasz Wisniowski, to become victorious more than once in Italy. As always the first part of the race exists out of some up and down sightseeing, before stuff gets serious on the two 10km-ish cobbled sectors. Let's have a look at the favourites!
| Mtn | Stam | Res | Cob | Spr | Acc |  Wisniowski | 69 | 75 | 76 | 83 | 73 | 76 |  Pedersen | 63 | 78 | 80 | 83 | 78 | 77 |  Gerts | 66 | 76 | 80 | 82 | 72 | 70 |  Per | 68 | 74 | 75 | 82 | 74 | 74 |  Altur | 63 | 75 | 70 | 82 | 72 | 68 | | Senechal | 61 | 79 | 74 | 82 | 69 | 74 | | Kamyshev | 57 | 81 | 75 | 82 | 66 | 60 |  Kasperkiewicz | 66 | 75 | 77 | 81 | 59 | 67 |  Teunissen | 61 | 77 | 73 | 81 | 67 | 69 |  Stallaert | 60 | 76 | 68 | 81 | 79 | 76 |  Theuns | 67 | 76 | 73 | 80 | 77 | 76 | | Anderberg | 64 | 77 | 76 | 80 | 60 | 73 | | Tiller | 65 | 76 | 75 | 79 | 74 | 73 | | Sulimov | 64 | 77 | 71 | 79 | 65 | 71 | | Ferreira | 57 | 74 | 70 | 79 | 71 | 69 |  Vanbilsen | 50 | 78 | 72 | 79 | 71 | 69 |  Polanc | 74 | 78 | 73 | 78 | 67 | 75 |
Wisniowski has won this race twice (2019 and 2021) and seems to be the number one favourite again. Only one other cobbler stronger when it goes uphill, and only one other able to match his cobbling skills. Let's have a quick look at Wisniowski's deciding attack two years ago, when he got rid of last year's winner Florian Senechal.
As you can see, those were the good old days the Polish rider was still defending the blue colours of Grieg - Maersk. His former teammate can now be seen as his main rival though, as Pedersen should be able to match his acceleration on the cobblestones, and should also be the fastest at the finish line. Pedersen has some good support in Tiller here, whereas Aker's Wisnowski should be able to count on Anderberg tomorrow.
Then there is a nice group of similar cobble riders, of which Per seems to be the most versatile one. Good climbing and decent kick at the finish line for the Carlsberg rider, is he able to keep his team alive and kicking in PT? Rabobank's Gerts also shouldn't waste too much energy uphill compared to some other cobblers, so maybe tomorrow could be his day. Altur is MOL's guy, the Spaniard managed to finish eighth for Polar last year. As usual, Tinkoff comes with the duo of Senechal and Kamyshev. Last year we were able to witness what this could lead to, when Frenchman Florian Senechal won the race. Let's have another look at his victory.
Olé.
Three more riders I'd like to specifically mention in this preview are Stallaert, Theuns and Polanc. Joeri Stallaert has been PCT's boss cobbler for the last seasons, but has found a big rival in Theuns as of lately. The same Theuns that managed to finish second here last year actually, and who will be looking to do one better this year. PCT showdown with Theuns versus Stallaert for the little race in the race, love to see it. Polanc on the other hand doesn't rely on a quick finish, but is simply superior to other cobblers when it comes to climbing. Let's see if he can manage to do better than last year's seventh place.
The report will be brought to you by the fantastic AbhishekLFC. Good luck to everyone.
Entire startlist:
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 02-12-2023 08:20
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11786
Joined: 19-07-2010
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I really don't want to follow the cobbles season 
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| tastasol |
Posted on 02-12-2023 08:21
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3030
Joined: 11-09-2010
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Cool preview and some nice memories from Wisniowski's win. Now it's fingers crossed for Pedersen. We need a huge cobbles season from him, so hopefully he can deliver from the start.
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 02-12-2023 08:49
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7773
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Cobblestones: next
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 02-12-2023 09:44
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
Joined: 05-08-2008
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The new came hasn't been exactly kind to Gerts so far. Hopefully the cobbles will be a whole different story.
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| knockout |
Posted on 02-12-2023 11:17
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8235
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Always have some high hopes for this as in theory, this race should suit Polanc really well. Also one of the races that has the potential to change a lot between games. Lets see how the race plays out.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| SotD |
Posted on 02-12-2023 11:48
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
Joined: 29-11-2006
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I can’t really expect anything from these races. Boutopoulos might be good in the future, but for now I have a bunch of solid domestiques only.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 06-12-2025 17:03
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 02-12-2023 14:55
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5234
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First out of three cobbled wildcard classics in a row, with Macskako and RvV being the other ones. I guess this one should suit Theuns pretty well - last year's result confirms this. Hills, cobbles and a flat run-in - perfect mixture for his skillset. Will be interesting to see what he can get in his final maxed races against the world's top cobblers!
Not much support for Eddie; mainly Tediashvili and Schmid, both mostly here to get up to max level, but also to provide some help - the latter on the rollercoaster part of the race, the former on the cobbles.
Looking forward to the race, thanks for the preview 
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 02-12-2023 18:05
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16554
Joined: 27-07-2011
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Thanks for the preview!
Finally, Per's cobbles debut! Every cobbles race is obviously huge for us. So it sucks to put the pressure on this early, but we need to score. on paper the versatile parcours should favor him, but in the end it will come down to daily form and tactics. We just have to hope he starts off on the right foot.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| ember |
Posted on 02-12-2023 22:00
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Team Leader
Posts: 7057
Joined: 27-03-2008
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Exciting!
Finally starting the cobbles season, and I'm very hopeful this season. Our support crew for Wisniowski compared to last season is much stronger, with Potts, Laporte and Swift all riders that can potentially survive deep into the race, and then the most important thing is the improved Anderberg. Expect him to be part of the finale in a couple of these classics, to do key work for Wisniowski and maybe prove to be the difference for Wisniowski's winning chances compared to last season, where we really struggled to win races.
Surely, Pedersen must be the man to fear, with his superior sprint if it comes down to some kind of a group sprint. |
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 03-12-2023 00:34
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Team Leader
Posts: 5568
Joined: 12-06-2013
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Don't have much hope here but fingers crossed that Ovsya can pull through to collect points in the cobbles throughout the season.
Thank you for the preview and good luck all!
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 03-12-2023 11:42
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Team Manager
Posts: 6546
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1290.00
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I'd be happy for Theuns to win this PCT showdown if Stallaert gets the upper hand again once actual points are being scored  No aspirations for this at all, Joeri was 4th here in 2020 but also missed the Top 10 multiple times. It's a race that would seem too tough for him, but if he somehow hangs on through the hills at the front, he sure can win a flat cobbles race ... Thanks for the very nice preview Nemo!
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| DubbelDekker |
Posted on 03-12-2023 12:01
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2797
Joined: 20-04-2008
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Not sure whether to expect more from Teunissen or Malecki here.
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 03-12-2023 15:01
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16554
Joined: 27-07-2011
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Wow, what a race for Aker! Congrats to ember! Absolutely tremendous day for Anderberg, with Wisniowski still safely in tow. Looked like a possible 1-2 for a while. Great sign for them both for this year, and for years to come with Anderberg as their leader. Training already paying off.
Very satisfied with that race for us, obviously. Per bided his time through the early attacks despite being isolated, and positioned himself very well. He was clearly strong. Unfortunately he just lost Anderberg's wheel at the crucial juncture, but you can never be unhappy with 2nd, especially when there are so many amazing and similar riders vying for those spots. It's a very optimistic start to a hopefully very fruitful cobbles season.
No one else in the top 50 makes it not an insane points haul because we lack depth, but we dug our own team construction grave with that one. Its encouraging that Per didn't seem to need the support much, and the AI handled him well.
Thanks for the great report Abhi!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| SotD |
Posted on 03-12-2023 15:45
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
Joined: 29-11-2006
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Somewhat decent. Not a lot of points, but atleast positive for the future. Stavrakakis not so much though.
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| knockout |
Posted on 03-12-2023 16:15
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8235
Joined: 21-12-2010
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Solid ride by Polanc. Could have been better or worse.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 03-12-2023 18:10
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
Joined: 05-08-2008
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What a race by Anderberg 
Not an awful race from Gerts, but he definitely should be able to do better than that. Doesn't look he is one of the riders enjoying the new version of the game.
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 03-12-2023 18:24
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Team Manager
Posts: 6546
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13th is perfectly reasonable. Might have been better without the early attack, but doesn't matter in the end, of course. Very happy that Per did as well as he did, important points for Carlsberg! Thanks for the report!
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 03-12-2023 20:00
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7773
Joined: 04-07-2012
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As expected
Thanks for the report AbhishekLFC and congrats ember!
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 03-12-2023 20:17
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5234
Joined: 29-09-2018
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Big congrats to Aker, great result - and a first confirmation that investing in Anderberg's training was a good call!
6th place for Theuns is OK given the stacked field - but I'm still somewhat disappointed he didn't just outsprint the others in the end. I guess the long cobbled sections just left him without any energy to sprint - which is definitely realistic given that those finishing 2nd to 5th are just stronger cobblers. And Anderberg had a stellar day, nothing to do there.
Thanks for the report, Abhi
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