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Post by ElGringo on Jan 24, 2018 17:22:04 GMT 1
Well, do not underestimate the competition. Pequeno comes out of the blue and takes GC. I thought he was a specialist for the Belgian classics. But seems he has very good TT and decent mountain as well! Congrats ElGringo. Thanks An unenspected win or not I didn't though that he could get the GC the stage yes. That was a bonus. Pequeno is a strong rider in almoust all terrains He is with 37 and already lost some skills in hill the majority.
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Post by naspa on Jan 25, 2018 16:42:52 GMT 1
Not much attention was given today in the sports pages. on a grey winters day, in the foggy hills of the Scottish country side, Xavier dominated Spokes Cycles Junior Road Race! "With a bit of sunshine, i could even have done better," the young Portuguese commented to a local news reporter. Congrats again to ElGringo (Team Melres). And now we are interested to see the line ups of you, Kasseienstoempers, Quiller Boys and Heroes for the second big 3 week-event this season, Tour De France. For now we have seen revealed: PolyJean: best selection so far with a Orlandoni (sprinter), Giannarelli (allrounder and maybe good for the GC or point rankings), Hingant (climber) and Caf*ggi (flat stage). Pedale: Barbantini and Alunno can do well in the flat stages. Barbantini we all remember because of winning the sprint of the Adelaide Street Circuit (beating Giannarelli and Melazzini). Berdios: A team of young riders looking for experience. 3 contenders for the white jersey. The 25 year old Rotteveel might be one of the favorites Ngogo: Nadeau and Van den Elzen will try to do well in flat or intermediate stages. While we all wonder wether the time has come for younger riders like Cusimani to show their talents. Carapaz: 3 candidates for the youth rankings. The youngest one, Ferreira (24) is actually my favorite, as I esteem him to be the best on flat (to my opinion the key skill this TdF). Naspa: Lefebre for a flat stage or sprint, Ximenes and Zoeters will fool around a bit. With two top 3 places the targets will be met. Huizinga (23) is considered too young and too light for doing well in the youth rankings - but plans can change if the chances occur.
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Post by ElGringo on Jan 25, 2018 17:00:53 GMT 1
Thanks Naspa.
I wans't that confidente about today. I also didn't made my team for France, even I didn´t check the majority of stages. Will have a look at the terrain to select riders. Probably will go for stages and to give experience to a new leader.
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Post by Ab Normaal on Jan 25, 2018 17:22:50 GMT 1
My team will be feerick as a leader, Melazzini and probably some flay guys. haven't checked it either to be honest, that is on my to do list for tonight.
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Post by naspa on Jan 26, 2018 11:54:52 GMT 1
While we still wait for Heroes - hope he will make it, the second part of my preview.
Team Melres: Young leader Rocha will limit tactical options. So Stroh and Lorens will probably try to get some day wins. Stroh on a flat stage, Lorens when there is some climbing. Tirlea for the ITT.
Team Quiller: Also Quiller will have to make difficult tactical choices bringing as well a young leader, Ruytjens. So stage hunting as well? Pietrok is the winner of the Ronde van Vlaanderen. So very able to win a classic-like stage. Maybe tomorrow already? Welsschen en Venturato we all remember being number 4 and 5 of last weeks giro. They do not seem tired and will of course take their chances for a stage win when the climbing starts.
Kasseienstoempers: Melazzini as a sprinter, and 3 excellent riders with good flat and hill skills, Brognoli, Brügger and Pratte. At least 2 day victories, is my prediction.
Stage 1 From Düsseldorf-Germany to Liege-Belgium. A flat stage with some slight hills - not steep and long enough to bother the sprinters. A day to take it easy for riders with plans for Saturday or Sunday.
It seems quite sure that an Italian sprinter will win today. Brabantini (Pedale) has shown already this season that he can beat other sprinters, like Giannarelli (PolyJean) and Melazzini (Kasseienstoempers). But maybe it is not Giannarelli who is the main sprinter today of PolyJean? The legs of Orlandoni look very good to me for sprinting as well.
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Post by quiller on Jan 26, 2018 13:11:18 GMT 1
Congratz to the winner... But what a disaster for me... - ruytjens injured (there goes my young leader ... no exp or leadership gain for him...) - Pietrok WAS my main for GC... He fell and lost 10 minutes... - Welschen was there for one good race this week so les fitness... He can not step in... - Luckily my second for GC (my reserve) was in the head group...
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Post by dustin on Jan 26, 2018 13:54:18 GMT 1
Quiller, really bad luck what to do now? difficult ..... ?
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Post by naspa on Jan 26, 2018 14:22:38 GMT 1
A battlefield today. It seems many teamleaders are choosing alternative tactics, because Naspa started predicting the races too well.
The sprint-train of Pedale was leading the race, assisted by 3 riders of Ngogo. Welsschen was helping and was rewarded with the mountain jersey for one day. While Giannarelli, Pratte, Brognoli and Bienert had no problem with the pace - chatting with each other at the back of the first group. Like Ngogo's Nadeau and VandenElzen, they were saving their energy- for... who can tell... GC or for another day?
And in the first group was hiding a small Belgian rider wearing the teamcolours of Naspa. On maximum effort he managed to win the sprint by few inches before a frustrated Bissolati (Pedale).
"The teamleader thought I did not stand a chance" a smiling Cyrille Lefebre (36) commented after collecting his 4th race win in the autumn of his career. "But I have convinced him I could do well today. I know the streets here in Liege. Before moving with the the Naspa A-team to Monaco, I used to live not far from here."
No regrets there - to my estimation he could not finish top 10. But well, if Orlandoni cannot follow on the hills and Barbantini does not want his shirt sweaty anyway, it seems very worth to take the chance.
And last... Sadly not only Ruytjens had a bad fall. On behalf of all the managers of division 3:2 I have sent a get-well-soon-card to Ngogo's Cusimani. His unrevealed talents will still stay a mystery to us for another two weeks or so.
Of course the 99% guys of the first group today are expected in the final of tomorrow together with Melres aces, Lorens and Stroh. And who knows, Pietrok now he has given up his GC aspirations. The rider that dares to go all in might as well take the lead in 2 or 3 jersey-rankings.
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Post by carapaz on Jan 26, 2018 16:05:47 GMT 1
go youth classification with Guálter Ferreira, go attack
go buy better
success to all
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Post by Ab Normaal on Jan 26, 2018 16:19:05 GMT 1
Acceptable first stage for De Kasseienstoempers. Sprinter Eminem (what's in a name) Melazzini fell, on a moment that both helpers both already had let go. So no sprinting for the stage. Positive point that Brognoli and Pratte freewheeled to the finish line. Both riders are ready for the next two days when they will aim for a good result.
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Post by ElGringo on Jan 26, 2018 21:49:51 GMT 1
Congratz Naspa for the stage win And thanks for the journalist section Todays stage was very good for me, I set Stroh saving fitness because he enter with 95% and Lorens helper and he did a fine job keeping the pace and limit the loss. Some rider did well with save fitness and keep in the 1st group. Tomorrow will be the same tactic. Tomorrow a stage for a rider from Kasseienstoempers I think.
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Post by ElGringo on Jan 26, 2018 21:53:16 GMT 1
go youth classification with Guálter Ferreira, go attack go buy better success to all I saw your buy, a rider for the future, good luck
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Post by quiller on Jan 27, 2018 14:55:02 GMT 1
Well... Today I had a much better day in the tour... Bienert did very great, and if he doesnt fall of get a flat tomorrow, he will be in a very good position... A lot of time was lost by a lot of riders... Top 5 for GC is almost 'given away'...
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Post by Ab Normaal on Jan 27, 2018 15:31:45 GMT 1
Hmmm, still too much effort used. And Brognoli had a fall. Not very happy here despite the stage win.
I agree on the podium. Will probably be: 1. Gianarelli 2. Bienert (I guess he will train fitness?) 3. Van den Elzen
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Post by pollyjean on Jan 27, 2018 22:14:29 GMT 1
I am aiming for jerseys again. Gianni for GC or points. Hingant for a shot at polka dot jersey. Tomorrow caf*gi gets his chance as well.
I should probably better continue training my younger leader more but it is so tempting to give options in tours.
First stage had already large differences and many droppers from first group. I guess Giannarelli his mood saved him because he has the same hill skill as Orlandoni. Orlandoni rode at 100% and was dropped on a hill part. Gianna saved fitness and remained in first group.
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