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Euskal Bizikleta - Discussion
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 07-06-2024 02:57
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3263
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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 Euskal Bizikleta
2023 is the 11th edition of the Euskal Bizikleta. The race had really had two lives, running first from 2009 to 2011 and then after being reintroduced in 2016 it has been run every year since. Last year Hugo Houle took the GC following on Marko Kump’s 2021 victory. So punchy sprinters have been victorious of late before that it was more traditional puncheurs like Odd Christian Eiking (2020) and Travis Meyer (2019).
No two time winners in the history of the race but the last 3 winners are all back to take a shot at that record although Houle and Kump are both on the downside of their careers. 2018 winner Johan Esteban Chaves is also back to take another shot, although he also fits that downside category.
The course hasn’t changed from last year, two flat stages followed by two hill stages. Although the 2nd flat stage has a lot of hills and both hill stages have flat finishes. Angel Vicioso won the first 3 stages of the first edition of this race for the Gatorade team and in the subsequent 2 stages and 10 editions nobody else has got past 2 stage wins. A stage win for Eiking this year and someone would finally match Vicioso.
The contenders for this race fit into two buckets, the punchy sprinters and the puncheurs. The latter group includes:
| Rider | FL | MT | HI | SP | AC | RS |  Eiking | 71 | 69 | 81 | 68 | 76 | 74 |  Gesbert | 71 | 74 | 80 | 68 | 73 | 78 |  Moscon | 71 | 73 | 80 | 59 | 73 | 77 |  Waeytens | 70 | 71 | 80 | 66 | 73 | 70 |  Müller | 70 | 67 | 80 | 66 | 73 | 71 |  Demare | 73 | 67 | 80 | 82 | 81 | 72 |  Gebrezgabihier | 68 | 70 | 79 | 67 | 69 | 74 |  Prevar | 71 | 70 | 79 | 66 | 71 | 68 | | Kron | 73 | 70 | 79 | 66 | 73 | 75 | | Chaves | 69 | 75 | 78 | 59 | 71 | 72 |  Errazkin | 71 | 74 | 78 | 63 | 73 | 75 |  Dyrnes | 68 | 72 | 78 | 65 | 77 | 73 |  Hugentobler | 70 | 68 | 78 | 56 | 76 | 69 | | Eriksson | 72 | 67 | 78 | 65 | 76 | 74 | | Schlegel | 69 | 79 | 77 | 64 | 75 | 74 |
Eiking is the best rider in the hills and also strong at the finish, he definitely has shot at both the GC and stage win record. But the outstanding favorite has to be Demare who is not only one of the best punchy riders but will also feature in the other two lists in this preview. The only question mark for him is how much will his weaker mountain stat matter. Tryg back him up with two more riders who make this list in Kron and Schlegel. If ability on the long climbs matters then Trgy are well represented by Schlegel who is the strongest mountain climber in the race (assuming we ignore Seboka).
None of the other names on this list really stand out, they are all solid riders in the hills with solid but not outstanding finishing skills. Dyrnes has a nice all-round skill set and gives the CT another strong representative alongside Eiking
The next group of riders are all solid in the hills but are marked by a superior finishing ability.  Meurisse, who finished 3rd in the GC last year, has long carried the torch for this group of riders although Demare is obviously the top gun in this category as well.
| Rider | FL | MT | HI | SP | AC | RS | | Demare | 73 | 67 | 80 | 82 | 81 | 72 |  Lagane | 70 | 70 | 77 | 75 | 77 | 71 |  Narvaez | 70 | 72 | 77 | 73 | 74 | 71 |  Paret-Peintre | 72 | 76 | 77 | 72 | 74 | 75 |  Guerreiro | 71 | 76 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 73 | | Mayer | 68 | 69 | 77 | 72 | 77 | 72 | | Meurisse | 73 | 74 | 77 | 71 | 78 | 74 | | Felline | 67 | 65 | 76 | 73 | 77 | 72 | | Weiss | 70 | 63 | 76 | 73 | 74 | 70 | | Korosec | 71 | 68 | 75 | 75 | 78 | 71 |  Trillini | 70 | 64 | 75 | 73 | 76 | 69 | | Hagen | 68 | 74 | 75 | 71 | 72 | 72 |  Houle | 77 | 65 | 74 | 78 | 77 | 70 | | Theuns | 72 | 67 | 74 | 77 | 76 | 73 |  Wackermann | 74 | 68 | 74 | 74 | 72 | 74 |  Marzuki | 70 | 71 | 74 | 72 | 72 | 72 | | Kump | 70 | 62 | 73 | 77 | 74 | 67 | | Pons | 72 | 66 | 73 | 74 | 76 | 74 |
The list is long because there is a wide variety of rider types in this group and how the various capabilities interact will be determined on the road. Demare along with Korosec, Houle, and Theuns are the fastest riders but none are that strong on the bigger climbs. Paret-Peintre and Guerreiro are the best all round climbers, and could have qualified for the first list, but they are not nearly as fast when it comes to finishing. Lagane is perhaps the best compromise between the two skill sets.
While the GC will be decided in stages 3 and 4 the first two stages should be for the sprinters.
| Rider | FL | SP | AC | RS | | Demare | 73 | 82 | 81 | 72 | | Aniolkowski | 76 | 80 | 79 | 74 | | Van Asbroeck | 74 | 79 | 77 | 71 | | Hayakawa | 73 | 79 | 79 | 68 | | Afewerki | 73 | 79 | 80 | 70 | | Walscheid | 73 | 79 | 79 | 74 | | Houle | 77 | 78 | 77 | 70 | | Page | 75 | 78 | 79 | 72 | | Theuns | 72 | 77 | 76 | 73 | | Kump | 70 | 77 | 74 | 67 | | Boivin | 72 | 77 | 77 | 67 | | Tivani | 70 | 77 | 78 | 78 | | Wippert | 69 | 77 | 81 | 69 |  Berger | 73 | 77 | 77 | 68 | | Thwaites | 72 | 77 | 74 | 68 |
Demare is again the stand out name and he will hope to accumulate some bonus seconds for his GC bid in these first two stages. Houle Theuns might also hope for that although Theuns may be working for Page on the sprint stages. Aniolkowski, Afewerki Walscheid and Hayakawa are the strongest representatives among the more traditional sprinters. Kump’s job will likely be leading out Demare rather than seeking personal glory and the former world champion will likely be joined by Summerhill in the lead out train giving Tryg not only a nice lead out but probably the most decorated team to ever take the start line at this race.
Startlist
 
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 07-06-2024 03:36
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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If Demare, Gesbert and Lagane could all get dropped on Stage 2 without their teams trying to get them back on while everyone else just lets Houle gain over a minute that might improve my mood towards PCM right now 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
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[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 07-06-2024 04:43
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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It'd be nice if we could perform at the opposite level to Herlad Sun Tour. Yet i feel this race will be hard and painful, limited to breakaway efforts.
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 07-06-2024 07:49
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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With Fastned and Bralirwa having passed us in Japan and built up a slight gap, we absolutely need to perform here. However, I'm worried about the flat run-in on stage 3 and 4 with Gesbert not really having the greatest finish. Hopefully we can make the race hard enough to create some selections on the climbs.
Thanks for the preview!
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 07-06-2024 08:20
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 810
Joined: 05-10-2021
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I hope we're not too strong to go into the break and chase the mountain classification. Otherwise, in a good form, Lafay, Pacher or Wackerman could bring us some decent results.
Thanks for the preview, good luck everyone!
“...the secret of the Great Stories is that they have no secrets. The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again. The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably."
A. Roy
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 07-06-2024 09:15
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
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This race will be very decisive for us. Start list look a bit strong for our liking, I'm not sure if we're gonna have a very good time here, but fingers crossed for Dyrnes and Eriksson!
Thank you for the great preview UU! |
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| KaiserAdler |
Posted on 07-06-2024 09:26
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Domestique
Posts: 570
Joined: 13-07-2022
PCM$: 5800.00
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I really hope we can get some extra points here. Especially with Afewerki. Any points will do. Whatever can help us stat in PCT.
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 07-06-2024 09:43
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
Joined: 07-08-2011
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Finally time for one of my favourite races of the season since there is no tts to mess with the puncheurs' GC claims, we had a good race last year and I am a tad worried with Dzama as the captain according to the game.
Thanks for the preview!
Edited by whitejersey on 07-06-2024 10:28
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 13:42
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| quadsas |
Posted on 07-06-2024 12:58
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
Joined: 18-01-2013
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6 man gang, but I expect some points that is fo sho
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 07-06-2024 13:38
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Team Leader
Posts: 5897
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Thank you for the preview.
We have all our eggs in this basket. Fingers and toes crossed!
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| Caspi |
Posted on 07-06-2024 19:17
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 370
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I don't have much faith in Hugentobler, but this could be a good race for Felline with a bit of luck.
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 07-06-2024 21:23
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4669
Joined: 29-09-2018
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As always, we don't have one of the top contenders, but multiple options. For the sprint stages, Page and Theuns could both have a shot at a good result - the former on stage one, the latter on stage 2. And on the remaining ones, taking example on Houle's 2022 performance.
For the hills, there are Errazkin and Schmid, the latter only just missing out on the "strong finishers" list, with "only" 70 Spr. But I do like the fact that three out of four stages have the finish line after a downhill section, which would be ideal terrain for Mauro to attack. And both puncheurs should easily be strong enough on the longer climbs for not getting dropped, with just Schlegel, APP and Guerreiro being significantly stronger.
In TDU, there was no way past Démare for the GC, but I do think the Basque climbs are tougher (and longer). It would still take something special to drop him, though, as Houle with even less climbing skills won the race last year. Should be a fun race to follow anyway. And I wouldn't say no to a first white jersey for Schmid, although Kron and Lagane should be the favourites there.
Thanks for the preview, good luck to all!
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| KaiserAdler |
Posted on 08-06-2024 05:27
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Domestique
Posts: 570
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PCM$: 5800.00
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YEEEEEEEEEEEEES! ELIAS YOU BEAUTY! His first win for Colombini and our second win all season! Shouldve come much earlier in the season but I guess it makes for an exciting finish to the season. No clue what points these are but any bit helps. I didn’t expect anything here and honestly forgot Afewerki still had a race. But good god this feels good. Thanks for the report UU!
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 08-06-2024 05:28
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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Excellent breakaway work from Tyler 
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| Caspi |
Posted on 08-06-2024 09:14
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 370
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Nice with a podium for Wippert. The rest of the team misses the split, however. Maybe we can go for breakaways now?
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 08-06-2024 10:48
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
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Oh no... 
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 08-06-2024 14:23
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4669
Joined: 29-09-2018
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Oh well, more stupid splits, I hoped we had seen enough of those by now...
Schmid really has to learn a lot in terms of race strategy, feels like he always misses out, throwing more potential points out of the window.
But we still have Theuns and Errazkin in the GC fight, so it doesn't look as bad for us as it does for other teams, most notably Gjensidige who had a lot at stake here...
Page with a solid sprint, adding one more point (likely the final one of the year). He looked to be perfectly positioned behind the Tryg train - which was built far too early and then collapsed. So 8th isn't too bad, but not great, either.
Congrats to Colombini, looks like they could indeed hold the division. Afewerki with quite some overperformances definitely would be a decisive factor if they did, looks like a great rider to have.
Thanks for the report.
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 08-06-2024 14:40
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
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Feel really sorry for Gjensidige and Eiking. Still, he is very strong in the hills and capable on making up the lost grounds on nearly all if he gets a solid day.
We're unhappy that Eriksson is also trapped behind, but luckily Dyrnes is still in for a shot at the GC.
Wow, didn't expect drama right from the 1st stage. What a race already!
Thank you Ulrich and huge congrats to KaiserAdler and Colombini for that nice victory!  |
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 08-06-2024 15:08
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Team Leader
Posts: 5897
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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Aaaand there goes our entire f*cking season. Great.
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| seancoll |
Posted on 08-06-2024 17:36
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Domestique
Posts: 481
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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A second place from Tivani is probably more than I should expect from this race, but somehow this was a Top 5 goal for me which means I'm more annoyed that the entire rest of my team is behind (although we know it won't matter). Many condolences for managers for whom it really would have made the difference.
Hopefully this means some breakaway escapes for my riders in the next stages. Great end of season for Tivani as well, nothing to complain about for the sprinter.
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
