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Tour of Luxembourg - Discussion
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 28-02-2025 10:29
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Classics Specialist
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PCM$: 425.00
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 Tour of Luxembourg (C2) - Preview
Welcome to Luxembourg for a special race! It's the fifth edition in the history of this hilly stage race, but the last time we were here was in 2012. Back when life was easier, our backs didn't hurt this much, and young people still knew what a forum was. But enough nostalgia, clearly a former winner won't be back to win this race, so time for somebody new to be the new king in town. Or well, since we're in Luxembourg, it will be a Grand Duke. Let's have a look at the profile.
Interesting profile! We can see puncheurs with a real sprint and punch do well, but it could also be selective enough for the hybrids. A lot of puncheurs will be thinking they can do well here, so prepare for a list with over twenty names to have a look at most of the names that can do well here.
| Nat. | Name | MO | HI | ST | RS | SP | AC |  |  Eiking Odd Christian | 69 | 81 | 78 | 74 | 68 | 76 |  |  Moscon Gianni | 73 | 80 | 76 | 77 | 60 | 73 |  | Waeytens Zico | 70 | 79 | 70 | 68 | 65 | 71 |  |  Jensen Kristian Haugaard | 69 | 79 | 76 | 72 | 65 | 75 | |  Bystrom Sven Erik | 68 | 79 | 75 | 72 | 68 | 76 |  |  Beltran Eduard Alexander | 76 | 78 | 68 | 67 | 63 | 71 |  |  Koretzky Clement | 68 | 78 | 72 | 65 | 68 | 74 | | Morin Emmanuel | 65 | 78 | 75 | 73 | 69 | 76 |  | Watson Calvin | 65 | 78 | 76 | 72 | 62 | 72 |  | Yates Joel | 65 | 78 | 77 | 74 | 62 | 69 |  |  Guerreiro Ruben | 76 | 77 | 73 | 73 | 72 | 72 |  |  Lyu Xianjing | 75 | 77 | 75 | 76 | 63 | 74 | |  Lafay Victor | 75 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 63 | 74 |  |  Paulus Daniel | 74 | 77 | 71 | 68 | 62 | 71 |  | Mager Christian | 74 | 77 | 68 | 70 | 60 | 71 | | Zordan Andrea | 73 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 65 | 74 |  |  Serrano Gonzalo | 72 | 77 | 73 | 75 | 68 | 77 |  |  Nikiema Bachirou | 70 | 77 | 72 | 74 | 70 | 76 | |  Lopez Juan Pedro | 78 | 76 | 71 | 72 | 60 | 78 |  |  Seibeb Costa | 75 | 76 | 70 | 69 | 61 | 73 |  |  Korosec Rok | 68 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 75 | 78 | | Hermans Quinten | 66 | 75 | 75 | 77 | 69 | 76 | | Pacher Quentin | 71 | 75 | 73 | 74 | 70 | 73 |
Purely looking at this table Eiking is the favourite, but also purely looking at this table, is he really? One of his main competitors is Moscon, and as always the Italian from Cervelo brings his hilly squad to assist him, or possibly enjoy some freedom if everyone else looks at their leader.
Jensen and Bystrom are two 79 rated competitors who are very much alike, not the best or worst climbers in the world and also not the best or worst sprint and acceleration at the finish line; but in general they should be able to compete for the podium or more.
Out of the 78 rated puncheurs only Beltran can really be classified as a climbing hybrid, but his old age also means he no longer has the best physical capacities of the bunch. Apart from the domestiques in this group, Yates is Spark's second card to play, and Koretzky will be looking to take down the former Gjensidige leader again.
Guerreiro then as an interesting 77 puncheur with both climbing and sprinting skills, a versatility that could prove useful in Luxembourg. Lyu, Lafay and Paulus also decent climbing hybrids at the startline, with Seibeb as a 75 puncheur but also a decent hybrid hoping to score for Tryg. Lopez obviously an interesting names as well as not only a strong climber but also known for his great acceleration.
Nikiema is one of the guys who wouldn't mind going to the several finish lines with a select group, as he knows how to finish a race in a sprint, and when looking at slightly weaker puncheurs this is also the case for Hermans, Pacher and definitely Korosec.
There is one flat stage with quite some bumps, apart from the last mentioned names let's have a look at the sprinters aiming to score there.
| Nat. | Name | MO | HI | ST | RS | SP | AC |  |  Riabushenko Aliaksandr | 63 | 68 | 71 | 74 | 79 | 77 |  |  Altanzul Maani | 65 | 69 | 68 | 73 | 78 | 75 |  |  Bertilsson Christian | 53 | 68 | 70 | 69 | 78 | 75 | | Barbier Rudy | 50 | 67 | 72 | 71 | 77 | 79 | | Berger Hakon Frengstad | 60 | 65 | 72 | 68 | 77 | 77 | | Silvestre Fabio | 58 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 77 | 76 | | Reinhardt Theo | 54 | 64 | 68 | 61 | 76 | 79 |  | Darbinyan Varsham | 58 | 66 | 72 | 71 | 76 | 74 | | Korosec Rok | 68 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 75 | 78 | | Grosser Aaron | 64 | 74 | 74 | 72 | 75 | 75 |  |  Olei Federico | 66 | 73 | 73 | 71 | 75 | 75 | | Consonni Simone | 58 | 69 | 71 | 76 | 75 | 75 |
Riabushenko and Barbier the best sprinters on average but definitely the Frenchman absolutely hates going up and down. Slightly weaker sprinters but consisting out of a decent punch are previously named Korosec, but also Grosser and Olei.
Good luck to all, startlist in the spoiler.
Spoiler  Lilovski Dobrin
Petilli Simone
Insausti Jon Ander
Gaze Samuel
Reddish Nick
Piganzoli Davide
Brown Connor
Burnett Josh
Riabushenko Aliaksandr
Gaspar Joao
Ryuki Uga
McGill Scott
Paulus Milan
Koide Itsuki
Singh Yanglem Rojit
Todome Yuhi
Vliegen Loic
Olei Federico
Onley Oscar
Borg Luke
Klyver Hjalmar
Ruvalcaba Reyes Davide
De Marigny-Lagesse Llucie
Moiruri Moses
Moscon Gianni
Zordan Andrea
Waeytens Zico
McCormick Hayden
Grosser Aaron
Watson Calvin
Boily David
Pickrell Riley
Lyu Xianjing
Van Lerberghe Bert
Hermans Quinten
Roosen Timo
Dewulf Stan
Noppe Christophe
Brenner Marco
Shen Yutao
Paulus Daniel
Le Gac Olivier
Pithie Laurence
Costiou Ewen
Berhe Welay Hagos
Lund Andresen Tobias
Baudin Alex
Belohvosciks Kristians
Bystrom Sven Erik
Vendrame Andrea
Hamilton Chris
Schönberger Sebastian
Goncalves Gaspar
Khederi Souheil
Keizer Martijn
Serrano Gonzalo
Quevedo Xavier
Barcelo Fernando
Garcia Jhojan
Scheit Florian
Sinkeldam Ramon
Acosta Ruben
Adriamihajanarivo Herizo
Lafay Victor
Darbinyan Varsham
Pacher Quentin
Doubey Fabien
Armirail Bruno
Erdenesuren Munkhtulga
Gougeard Alexis
Jensen Kristian Haugaard
Robov Momchil
Hagen Carl Fredrik
Tratnik Jan
Stoenchev Valentin
Evangelos Sarris
Klahan Noppachai
Sillankorva Jaakko
Barbier Rudy
Koretzky Clement
Consonni Simone
Skjerping Kristoffer
Lunder Eirik
Della Lunga Francesco
Bourgoyne Lucas
Madsen Erik Nygaard
Eiking Odd Christian
Morin Emmanuel
Carr Simon
Aebi Antoine
Martinelli Alessio
Artz Huub
Foldager Anders
Arrieta Igor
Lopez Juan Pedro
Mengoulas Alex
Van Garderen Tejay
Abreu Jorge
Ivanov Viacheslav
Wallinder Willhelm
Nikiema Bachirou
Laas Martin
Smit Willie
Aru Fabio
Granigan Noah
Mundle Benedikt
Moutsios Martinos
De Comarmond Aurelien
Svab Jernej
Beltran Eduard Alexander
Yates Joel
Duchesne Antoine
Karatsivis Panagiotis
Diaz Suarez Andy Alihonay
Huera Richard
Thompson Reuben
Ludvigsson Fredrik
Berger Hakon Frengstad
Kaislavuo Jesse
Bertilsson Christian
Nielsen Joanis Albert
Breen Vegard
Wandahl Frederik
Eiriksson Eipor
Guerreiro Ruben
Mager Christian
Goossens Kobe
Lehtinen Sakari
Reinhardt Theo
Stalberg Albin
Van Bekkum Darren
Andersen Kasper
Korosec Rok
Govekar Matevz
Pibernik Luka
Glivar Gal
Murn Bostjan
Kunkumpai Kantaphon
Tulett Ben
Quaade Rasmus
Seibeb Costa
Silvestre Fabio
Broxham Ricardo
Enggaard Victor Grue
Pedersen Rasmus Sojberg
Van De Paar Jarne
Malmberg Matias
Holm Jorgensen Adam
Bartl David
Altanzul Maani
Buratti Nicolo
Zahiri Abderrahim
Ballerstedt Maurice
Alajmi Abdulhadi
Vinokurov Nicolas
Albalooshi Khalid
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 28-02-2025 10:42
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3297
Joined: 23-07-2008
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Think our best chance of a win has been overlooked here in McCormick this will suit him 100% though Korosec is going to take all the beating based on this year's race these courses aren't selective enough to create gaps but too selective for sprinters to survive so I make him a favoi
Edited by jt1109 on 28-02-2025 12:27
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 28-02-2025 10:43
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Team Leader
Posts: 7347
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Hopefully Beltran and Yates can do something. Beltran has been in good form so should be able to achieve a high GC considering the route. He should be strong and able to do something. Yates is still not showing the potential or ability I thought he’d have but this race does suit him and could be a good one for him.
Going to be an exciting and interesting race for us and for everyone! Good luck to everyone and thanks for a great preview.
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 28-02-2025 11:38
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2970
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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This race will be an unknown for most managers as it hasn't been held for over a decade and therefore we don't have much of a knowledge based on previous results. So basically, the favourites will be on somewhat equal footing here.
Here's hoping for KHJ to do his magic as he's been absent lately and our fortunes took a dent after Vancouver where the expectation and reality were too far apart.
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 28-02-2025 12:16
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World Champion
Posts: 14762
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 10400.00
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Waeytens and Moscon? Popcorn time!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 28-02-2025 12:35
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 921
Joined: 05-10-2021
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We have a decent squad I think, but the startlist should allow us to be offensive. Let's see what comes!
“...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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| seancoll |
Posted on 28-02-2025 13:51
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Domestique
Posts: 554
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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Excited to bring this race to everyone - looking to be some very exciting battles!
Expect late Saturday for stage 1 and a lovely battle across the four hilly stages!
No predictions from my end... except that we should be excited to see this race return.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 02-04-2025 05:47
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 01-03-2025 07:55
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1349
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Thanks for the preview, Nemo! And thanks to sean for covering (and already teasering) the race!
We're here with Paulus for the GC, Le Gac for his support and a bunch of youngsters for the breaks. Maybe we'll see some nice surprise from Pithie or Costiou?
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 01-03-2025 10:11
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Team Leader
Posts: 5922
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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Cheers for the preview Nemolito 
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 01-03-2025 11:20
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2982
Joined: 15-07-2007
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We're going all in on the 1 sprinter stage here 
Thanks alot Nemo! |
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| Caspi |
Posted on 01-03-2025 16:45
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Domestique
Posts: 474
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 12100.00
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Not sure what to expect from this race?
Love the pre-hype from seancoll though, especially after Nemo reminded me of the increasing back pain
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 01-03-2025 19:20
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3297
Joined: 23-07-2008
PCM$: 400.00
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Not 100% sure those time gaps are correct might be an issue with the time gaps in the stages there |
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 01-03-2025 22:48
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3459
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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jt1109 wrote:
Not 100% sure those time gaps are correct might be an issue with the time gaps in the stages there
Yes, the time gaps were set to 0 which is an error. Will be fixed for next year, other stages should be OK.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 02-03-2025 00:01
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Team Leader
Posts: 7347
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Beltran up there which is good. Not far off the front so should be able to move up in GC before the end of the race. Thompson is a very nice surprise in the same group as Beltran. He’s our Young rider hope so would be nice to see him finish up high in the white jersey.
Congrats to the winner and great report! Keen for stage 2
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 02-03-2025 07:11
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1349
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Congrats to hillis for a great win! Our first stage was abysmal, at least the entire team should have lost enough time to get some leeway for breakaeay appearances ...
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 02-03-2025 10:35
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Team Leader
Posts: 5922
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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Wow, did not expect that! We'll take it. Let's find out if our squad is strong enough to controll that leaders jersey though.
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 02-03-2025 11:39
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 921
Joined: 05-10-2021
PCM$: 600.00
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OK start, but I'm not sure making Pacher our leader is the best decision. Time will tell.
Thanks for the report!
“...the secret of the Great Stories is that they have no secrets. The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again. The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably."
A. Roy
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 02-03-2025 18:42
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8085
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Nice ride from Mengoulas, and congrats to our former rider Olei on picking up the surprise win!
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 02-03-2025 21:46
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2982
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
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Quite a weird race so far, especially as it looks like there has been a long TT, due to the gaps in the GC now
Thank you seancoll for reporting this. Really exciting reports!
Should be some fun next stages! |
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 03-03-2025 00:18
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Team Leader
Posts: 7347
Joined: 11-04-2012
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Man these time gaps are annoying! Beltran further back now. I hope the hills cause enough separation and that he is at the front of the pack to make some time up. We need a high GC to make this race worth it points wise.
Congrats to the winner and thanks for the report
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