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Post by ElGringo on Dec 31, 2017 16:02:25 GMT 1
Congratz Quiller for the double. In fact the flat part was very important to decide the result. I think that Naz with the 5 attack would have finish in front of Banciu or at same time. Is all tactics I was expecting more from Strauß, he has the skills(41 visible) but is something missing in him... I even consider selling him sometime ago but I will be patience and way 2 more seasons.
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Post by naspa on Dec 31, 2017 16:31:30 GMT 1
ElGringo . I found it strange as well to see my all-rounder-in-a-few-seasons-to-be Zoeters -mood ok, only set first ap- finishing before your Strauss. Maybe he is too much hill specialist, c.q. not yet allround enough for this classic? And well, for sure, Naz did lose his second spot by missing out the last attack point (quite obvious how Banciu accelerated there). In the race Naz held at some point the first position -after an early climb and I did not see him losing any time downhill. The combination of many strokes flat-hill and the Quiller-duo-escape must have done "the job". But I guess no time for regrets. Because, we will admire his climbing skills in Italy soon?
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Post by quiller on Jan 1, 2018 20:35:22 GMT 1
Naz will be unstoppable in italy in the mountains... He will do his 'armstrong-froome' thing there (i am sure of it)...
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Post by naspa on Jan 2, 2018 14:33:24 GMT 1
Congrats to Quiller again. On a roll!
Looking at the line up so far for Italy, I see that Pollyjean might have a GC man that can threaten Naz a little bit, Regis Buitenhuis - how does aging affect his climbing skills? Nisse Veen maybe for a intermediate race? And Ngogo seems to wake up from hibernation, bringing a strong team with Giro-veterans and proven stage and jersey winners: Broers and Agnelli. Menschaert has also proven he can win a stage, while Landry Smit has a good track record on smaller tours. Pedale Bolognese is bringing Trotz - an old winner of the maglia rosa - but that was 5 seasons ago! However, Parisot is riding an excellent season so far having beaten Lorens and Feerick at the steep climb of Lo Port in Catalunya. And of course Kasseienstoempers will pick his moments, with likely stage wins for Feerick, Bredael and Belluzzo. And of course Sauersteig who will battle with Melres' Tirlea for the last ITT (the first has too much mountain?) While Berdios might have set his mind on a white jersey bringing two 24-25 year olds to compete with El Gringo's Brassard. My only hope for a stage win comes from DeFrance - maybe on a good day.
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Post by ElGringo on Jan 2, 2018 15:05:21 GMT 1
New year starts with bad luck. Xavier was alone in front near the end and a fall took him the stage and the luck smiles to Vandermeersch from Quiller.
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Post by quiller on Jan 2, 2018 15:34:52 GMT 1
What a surprise (and indeed luck (sorry elgringo)... I knew Vandermeersch would at least be top 5, normally top 3 because he is really superb in mountain... But his flat was too low for this stage...
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Post by Ab Normaal on Jan 2, 2018 22:31:15 GMT 1
Naspa, Feerick is also my leader in Norway. Feerick cannot ride for himself because I need him to gain LS points. Sauerteig indeed for the ITT’s but he can’t beat Tirlea.
And Bredael and Belluzo for a stage win. No Jersey ambitions for me.
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Post by naspa on Jan 3, 2018 10:28:34 GMT 1
@ab, thanks for the strategy update. Who is your favorites for the point jersey?
In the mean time Quiller presented his Giro-team. Leader Banciu and multiple-point-jersey winner Welschen are experienced giro-veterans both being able to win stages. Can Welschen pull of the trick again, or is he losing too much of his punch because of ageing? As a dark horse we welcome Venturato, who might have a plan for the climbing-ITT next week Wednesday? While the 24-year old Binette is for sure a contender for the youth rankings.
Now we are impatiently waiting for Heroes and Carapaz to reveal their line-up. Will they make it in time?
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Post by Ab Normaal on Jan 3, 2018 10:56:07 GMT 1
The PJ goes to a GC man who attacks every day on 75% and is strong enough to make it top 5 in these stages. So couple of candidates.
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Post by naspa on Jan 3, 2018 12:32:32 GMT 1
With only half an hour to go... All teams start. Only one riders seems not te be at full fitness, Trotz at 90%. What will this lack of sharpness mean for the GC-aspirations of Pedale Bolgnese?
In the mean time Carapaz revealed a team of 24-29 year olds lead by the oldest rider in the pack, the 39 year old, experienced leader Jeaneau. The 24 year old Biaram is expected to do well in the youth rankings. While Heroes brought the youngest rider, K. Tabor, 20 years, and the youngest team on average, 21.8 years.
First race MODENA - ASOLO, 189 flat km's followed by a small hill and with a downhill finish. Bredael, Paasikallio, Banciu and Defrance are my favorites.
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[19] 3:2
Jan 3, 2018 13:52:09 GMT 1
via mobile
Post by pollyjean on Jan 3, 2018 13:52:09 GMT 1
Peloton ends on 26 minuten. WoW. Nice prediction of top3 naspa. Bredael and defrance will have some very good flat skill if they drop paasi on the flat. Nice original race like this.
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Post by ElGringo on Jan 3, 2018 14:15:24 GMT 1
Congratz to Bredael for taking the 1st stage only Defrance could follow him. I am extremly happy with my result with Torres (22Y), he fight all the way even with a fall, making a top10 was a a bonus
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Post by naspa on Jan 3, 2018 14:35:04 GMT 1
Yes, Ab, congrats. Bredael is starting to be a world class rider. While Defrance his sprint seems still a bit better, the last hill or descent was too much to keep up with your rising star. So, what are the predictions for tomorrow, CEFALÙ - ETNA? The first mountain points will be divided and a spectacular mountain-finish! Of course saving fitness today is a good indicator for the plans of tomorrow! :-) Naz seems to be the big favorite to finish first on the Etna. But will he go all the way or will he ride only at 19% fitness-loss? Maybe Venturato or Parisot can take advantage by going all in? And of course, starting from Cefalu, before reaching the volcano, the parcours is a technical one with 45km's of hills. Maybe there will be a coup of hill-skilled riders like Veen, Belluzzo and Agnelli who will try to ride away from Naz? And what are Quillers men up to? Banciu and Welschen have been saving fitness today as well! Is he planning another duo-escape, or maybe a trio-escape to launch Venturato in a good position?
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Post by quiller on Jan 3, 2018 17:22:30 GMT 1
Haha... I am NOT going for stage win. I need points to be sure to survive so i will bring as many riders as possible in a good position for standings... Offcourse stage win also give points BUT in the end final standings give me more if i am correct.(not that i have illusions about winning giro, but goals are 1 top 5 - 3 top ten (exception : injury)
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Post by ElGringo on Jan 3, 2018 22:17:50 GMT 1
Yes, Ab, congrats. Bredael is starting to be a world class rider. While Defrance his sprint seems still a bit better, the last hill or descent was too much to keep up with your rising star. So, what are the predictions for tomorrow, CEFALÙ - ETNA? The first mountain points will be divided and a spectacular mountain-finish! Of course saving fitness today is a good indicator for the plans of tomorrow! :-) Naz seems to be the big favorite to finish first on the Etna. But will he go all the way or will he ride only at 19% fitness-loss? Maybe Venturato or Parisot can take advantage by going all in? And of course, starting from Cefalu, before reaching the volcano, the parcours is a technical one with 45km's of hills. Maybe there will be a coup of hill-skilled riders like Veen, Belluzzo and Agnelli who will try to ride away from Naz? And what are Quillers men up to? Banciu and Welschen have been saving fitness today as well! Is he planning another duo-escape, or maybe a trio-escape to launch Venturato in a good position? Tomorrow stage isn't for Naz, real mountain is only at the end so he would be happy to follow wheels Is going for a hill riders that plays full effort
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