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Post by Slayer772004 on Apr 29, 2018 22:41:23 GMT 1
No more cobblestones in Week 5. Time for a new peloton, one that is specialized in hill and short, steep mountains. You feel it coming: the Ardennes Classics !
First race of the week is La Flèche Wallonne. A true classic over hills and steep mountains, ending on the famous Mur de Huy. No time to watch the little chapels, or think about the Seven Sorrows Devotion ... no: its punch time ! What team has Valverde in his ranks ? Or is age causing troubles, making time for an Alaphillipe to stand up ?
No time to rest with immediately Liège - Bastogne - Liège on day 2. Kinda the same route, but more kilometers, more climbs ... a little more legendary race, the oldest of all. Strong legs, a good strategy, and please ... no fall in the last turn, will be the key to success.
After this 2 heavy classics, the peloton moves direction Italy for the Tour of the Alps. In summary: mountains, mountains and mountains. With Le Tour de Filipinas just ended, and the Giro in prospect, its possible some riders of the second row can grab their chance. One thing is for sure: not a race for wimps.
And we end this Giro-warm-up-week with the GP Industria & Artigianato, a 1.HC race in Toscany. The race has 2 parts: an easy flat start to get in the mood, followed by 4 times a loop with a really annoying climb. Too hard for the early flat attackers ? Put yourself sunday in the sofa, grab a beer and follow it live on Peloton ! And ow ... whats Industria & Artigianato ? Industry & Crafts. Just so you know !
Enjoy this weeks races !
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Post by JOOP Cycling Team on May 1, 2018 16:01:10 GMT 1
Nice work!#(Slayer)
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Post by naspa on May 1, 2018 16:16:36 GMT 1
Yes, indeed. It is appreciated. Keep up with this nice announcements!
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Post by Slayer772004 on May 7, 2018 6:55:22 GMT 1
Its money time ! Literally.
Week 6 and 7 are all about the Giro d'Italia. Edition 101, starting with a small trip to Israel, continuing on the hilly roads of Sicilia, passing the Zorcolan in the Alps, to end on the flanks of the Matterhorn in Cervinia. An impressive route, and its written in the stars it will be a spectaculair edition ! The first weeks seems one where the hill riders can live out, the second week is one for the climbers. Sprinters ? Probably not many will join this Giro. Still, fast legs will be needed to take the Maglia Ciclamino home. And riders interested in the Maglia Azzurra will need a good tactical plan. Immerse yourself in the route, forge a good plan, and get ready to rumble !
The riders who like more one day races can maintain their legs in the Circuito del Porto (Trofeo Arvedi). Nope, not a race in Portugal, but in the Po Valley in Lombardy (Italy). An eye on the history books makes clear the race mainly ends up in a bunch sprint. But don't forget we are close to the Alps, so make sure your picked sprinter can survive a mountain too.
Between the Giro, the U21 riders can grab their chance too in the Trofeo Piva. A true hill race over the Col San Martino, close to Treviso. The last 4 winners ? Muhlberg - Grossschartner - Geoghegan Hart and Padun. Sometimes scoreboard journalism speaks louder than words, so 100% sure we see the winner in a few seasons on top of Division 1:1.
But still, the main goal: the Giro !
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Post by Slayer772004 on May 21, 2018 10:52:51 GMT 1
After a tough Giro, its time to take it a little more easy in week 8.
The young legs start on monday in Czech Republic for the GP Priessnitz. The successor of the famous Course de la Paix is normally one for the hill riders. But ... we need to see if they are strong enough to survive the local flat circuit at the end. Chances ? 50/50 !
Because its rather quiet on the European roads, a part of the peloton can explore some races on another continent. Ever heared of 'The land of a thousand hills' ? Then you know we are heading for the Tour du Rwanda. And what did you think: of course the race crosses about 1000 hills. Well ... 10 at least, so make sure your hill riders are in top shape !
Back in Europe, we end the week a little retro with the World Ports Classic: from the port of Rotterdam to Antwerp, and back again. All flat roads ... for sure its the most boring race of the season. So why add it ? Because its the biggest mind-fuck-race of the season. Important to think what to do with your best flat rider: he aims for stage 1 or stage 2 ? Or he goes for the GC ? But most important of all: what will be the tactic of your opponent ? Add the fact that the Tour de France is coming, with a lot of chances and green jersey points for flat riders, and your mind gets in a knot.
Enjoy the worries, and good luck to all !
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Post by eboese on Jul 23, 2018 15:31:43 GMT 1
Ab Normaal, Schizm, ElGringo, Slayer772004, thanks for another great season. The game has been really stable lately, I can only imagine the time and effort that must go into running it. Much appreciated, cheers!
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