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Giro D'Italia discussion thread
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| Smowz |
Posted on 10-11-2010 22:40
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
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Giro preview - the route
The first grand tour of the 2011 Man Game is here and we have a very tough Giro D'Italia route with some of the most celebrated climbs on the menu.
Lets examine the first seven stages:
We kick off in Holland with a short technical Time Trial to split the riders, before two flat and potentially windy stages before the transfer to Italy. The Team Time Trial on the 4th stage is relatively short but gives teams with a number of Time Triallists a chance to put time into their rivals. One last really flat stage before the first real difficulties at the end of the first week. Late climbs an stage six and the strade Bianchi on stage seven should make for exciting viewing.
The next seven:
: sees the excitement go up a notch with our first summet finish on the Terminillo, before an uphill sprint on stage nine. The sprint stages on stage ten, twelve and thirteen may suit breakaways, meanwhile stage eleven looks like a long day and may prove interesting. The nasty, nasty final week beckons with stage 14's ascent and fast descent off of Mount Grappa.
The final seven:
:look brutish, and it all kicks off with the steep crowd lined climb of Zoncalon. If that wasn't enough we have the Plan de Corenas MITT on the next day, followed by a couple of transition stages and then the Mortirolo on stage 19. The Gavia climb on stage 20 is our Cima Coppi of this year and gives yet another chance for GC favourites to move up and down the classification. Finally a short showcasing Individual Time Trial in Verona may give us yet more excitement. |
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| Smowz |
Posted on 10-11-2010 22:40
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
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Teams Presentation:
La Gazzetta
The first team need no introduction as the winner of the last five years Damiano Cunego is here leading a squad for his unprecedented attempt at six in a row. He will be backed up in the mountains by Agudelo, De La Fuente, Osella, Vasquez and Rogers. The later rider will also contribute to the TTT with Flens and Van Winden here for just that purpose. No Bennati this year and their best sprint hope is possibly Santambrogio although he may be lead out fodder for his captian who just might try and sweep all three jerseys!
Spoiler 1. D.Cunego
2. J.Agudelo
3. D.De la Fuente
4. R.Flens
5. M.Osella
6. M.Rogers
7. M.Santambrogio
8. D.Van Winden
9. W.Vasquez
Lipton
Liptons squad boasts a number of decent GT contenders and their Italian climber Sella possibly has the best chance of an overall victory. He somehow has to contend with Cunego and he has Ukrainian Ratiy and Italian Ghisalberti to help him in the climbs to break down La Gazzetta's dominence. Stundzia and Zrimsek have been brought here with the TTT in mind and watch out for the other Emanuele in the sprints its Rizza.
Spoiler 11. E.Sella
12. C.Di Maggio
13. S.Ghisalberti
14. A.Petrie-Armstrong
15. V.Ratiy
16. E.Rizza
17. M.Rowe
18. D.Stundzia
19. J.Zrimsek
Energie
A second Italian contender to the great Cunego is Pozzovivo, whose squad has been similarly constructed to Lipton Iced tea. Pozzo you suspect is not quite a match for Cunego and Sella in the mountains but we shall see. He has some support in Perez Cuapo and Nicacio, with Veleso a useful addition here and for TT's. Tendero has been included, for this purpose and also watch out for Biondo for the sprints. Strong podium candidates.
Spoiler 21. D.Pozzovivo
22. M.Biondo
23. P.Nicácio
24. J.Perez Cuapio
25. J.Tendero
26. G.Veloso
27. A.Vicioso
28. D.Viganò
29. E.Viviani
Vesuvio
The best foriegn threat to the Pink jersey has to be Benat Intxausti, a good TTer he will be frustrated by the lack of TTing options, but he is a very strong climber who has Medvedev and Cabreira in support for the climbs. Another team to include strong TTers in Ford, Barth and Clesen for this purpose. Just may take pink on that TTT day of perhaps later in the hills, this could give them the fillit to upset an Italian 1-2-3.
Spoiler 31. B.Intxausti
32. M.Barth
33. J.Cabreira
34. N.Clesen
35. T.Costagli
36. M.Ford
37. M.Kittel
38. M.Kvasina
39. D.Medvedev
Domina Vacanze
Many Italians feel that Vicenzo Nibali is a more rounded Grand Tour rider than either Sella or Pozzovivo but he will not favour this years mountainous route which is where he may just lose touch. The mountain help just is not there as it is with the very top contenders and it will be difficult for Nibali to maintain a challenge for a podium spot. Irishman Speirs is a decent shout for some sprints.
Spoiler 41. V.Nibali
42. D.Calderón
43. M.Da Dalto
44. H.Duenas Nevado
45. D.Fleeman
46. D.Herrero Llorente
47. T.Martin
48. I.Speirs
49. S.Taberlay
Nespresso
Continental Tour's stage racer par excellence is testing the water at Grand Tour level and will certainly be one to watch. Perhaps surprisingly veteran Danilo Di Luca has been left out the squad with Dutchman Keizer and Costa Rican Duran the main mountain help. Also of interest is Italian sprint Lo Cicero but he comes with a no hills please warning! Watch out for Henao in the mountains!
Spoiler 51. S.Henao Montoya
52. H.Broco
53. M.Durán
54. M.Keizer
55. I.Lo Cicero
56. J.Mendes
57. H.Mottin
58. M.Schär
59. R.Traficante
Philips
Another rider who would have preferred a nice juicy TT like that of last year is Stijn Devolder. He is here with some decent mountain support in Gerdemann and Pecharroman, but will probably be happy enough with a top 5 berth.
Spoiler 61. S.Devolder
62. L.Bak
63. S.Cohnen
64. L.Gerdemann
65. E.MartÃnez de Esteban
66. J.Mouris
67. J.Pecharroman
68. N.Scheunemann
69. M.Tjallingii
Pearl
Jose Rujano certainly has an interesting history with the Giro and is always exciting to watch, the Peral Adidas team promise an exciting Giro. Bulgarian Panayotov is also an attacking rider for the mountainous terrain and there are number of fastmen Finland's Vastaranta could suprise some in the sprints.
Spoiler 71. J.Rujano
72. M.Cardoso
73. E.Franzoi
74. T.Leezer
75. S.Mancuso
76. P.Panayotov
77. J.RodrÃguez
78. B.Samoilev
79. J.Vastaranta
Festina
Contador is not put up against Cunego this year, his compatriot Castano is given the 'oppurtunity' by Festina, though he may be sharing the leaders role with Ardila. This could give Festina a nice tactical edge espicially on the stages with the toughest mountain near the end of the stage. Young Austrian Denifl will be their mountain domestique and watch out for Diego Ulissi who is a fine punchaer and their top sprinter Sonnery. Plenty of point scoring potential here.
Spoiler 81. C.Castaño
82. M.Ardila
83. V.Bileka
84. S.Denifl
85. A.Lavoine
86. R.Maksimov
87. B.Sonnery
88. D.Ulissi
89. J.Van Goolen
Colombia
Cafe de Columbia's top Columbian stage racer is here and will perhaps be aiming for a top five finish. It's possible with Ardila Cano and veteren Kloden in support maybe he can surprise. Its a mix of experience and youth elsewhere in what is probably the Coffee teams weakest Pro Tour of the year.
Spoiler 91. F.Duarte
92. A.Ardila Cano
93. P.Healion
94. S.Joly
95. A.Klöden
96. M.Pinotti
97. W.RodrÃguez Parra
98. T.Swift-Metcalfe
99. A.Tennant
Lafarge
Justo Tenorio has future Vuelta winner stamped all over him, already a fine climber and TTer this is perhaps the final step on the Spainards learning curve. It could be quite a tough race for him as the squad is a little bare, but Pardilla and Jeannesson offer some support for the mountains. Mitch Docker is a good looking bet for a possible points jersey hilt, he gets over hills well and is a solid sprinter.
Spoiler 101. J.Tenorio
102. L.Bret
103. M.Docker
104. A.Jeannesson
105. A.Laidler
106. S.Minard
107. S.Pardilla
108. P.Thuaux
109. R.Van Zandbeek
Sony
Perhaps the forgotten Italian amongst the candidates for the podium is talented climber Marzano, his Sony Eriksson team have had an incredible year so far and there are some elements here that could surprise. Lang, Johannson and Ranang will give them a reasonable TTT also watch out for Ballan and Grillo on the hilly stuff and the sprints. If you thought that this team would disappear in the Giro your sadly mistaken!
Spoiler 111. M.Marzano
112. A.Ballan
113. J.Danacik
114. P.Grillo
115. F.Johansson
116. S.Lang
117. D.Muravjev
118. S.Pauwels
119. V.Renäng
Starbucks
Whilst Starbucks may hope for a top ten with Efimkin, the teams best chance of success probably lies in stage victories with sprinters Breschel and Renshaw and also Italian Visconti. A rider like Columbian Jaramillo could be a good KOM contender but I see that going to a GC candidate.
Spoiler 121. V.Efimkin
122. M.Breschel
123. F.Ciccarese
124. T.Criel
125. M.Fahnert
126. R.Jaramillo
127. K.Koren
128. M.Renshaw
129. G.Visconti
Wiggle
Our first wild card team will certainly give this one a good go with an Anglo Italian line up. Its stage wins that this team are after and after a fine showing at the Tirrano Adratico it would certianly be the expectation that Simone Ponzi will be battling it out for one again. Luke Rowe is a promising sprinter who has acheieved success in the Continental Tour and don't count against Cataldo going for a breakaway in the mountains.
Spoiler 131. D.Cataldo
132. T.Diggle
133. C.Grippo
134. R.Nocentini
135. M.Pavarin
136. S.Ponzi
137. L.Rowe
138. P.Scarponi
139. J.Tiernan-Locke
Carmeuse
Suaza and Solis are two of those pure mountain goat breeds and Carmeuse's main task is to get them there in one piece. They will also be scratching their head at how to get Theo Bos to the finish every day, though he should be able to muster something in Holland. Plenty of youngsters here, the TTT could be a bit of a disaster!
Spoiler 141. J.Suaza
142. T.Bos
143. J.Camier
144. R.Di Gregorio
145. A.Fenn
146. P.Jacobs
147. O.Solis
148. W.Van Den Eynde
149. W.Weylandt
Wolfskin
Perhaps not the teams biggest priority this season but Belgian Wim Van Huffel could battle gamely for a top 10 spot. Joost Posthuma will give the opening TT a good crack, but the TTT has brought out some great TTers here. The mainly Dutch/Belgian squad will cherish the three grand tours being in their homeland, but once the serious stuff gets going in the final week its going to be tough going.
Spoiler 151. W.Van Huffel
152. J.Cooper
153. K.De Kort
154. J.Donald
155. J.Posthuma
156. L.Ten Dam
157. J.Van Emden
158. B.Vaugrenard
159. R.van der Hugenhaben
Team B&O
An interesting chance at the TTT, but with no superstar clinbers this team will look to make its headlines with breakaways and or a stint in pink. No real sprinter of note, but plenter of very nice roulers could give the race some memorable attacks.
Spoiler 161. N.Keinath
162. M.Christensen
163. A.Grivko
164. C.Jørgensen
165. R.Kreuziger
166. K.Nielsen
167. M.Reckweg
168. A.Steensen
169. S.Stenersen
Auber 93
Auber have bought their best sprinter in Haussler here and will undoubtedly focus on that for a sprint stage win at this year's Giro. Getting the German-Australian to the finish line and letting him pick the right wheel to follow will be the strategy. Some French newspapers are saying Rolland has top ten chances which certainly amuses the Italians!
Spoiler 171. P.Rolland
172. M.Bouet
173. N.Brouzes
174. M.Drujon
175. H.Haussler
176. D.Mehr-Wenige
177. F.Morizot
178. J.Thire
179. S.Tronet
Wikipedia
It will probably be a quiet Giro for this American team as their star men are left at home. They as you will expect have a reasonable TTT team with Meier and Kovalev along for the ride. But this Giro is for blooding the youngsters, let's hope they can last the pace.
Spoiler 181. M.Sprick
182. T.Brandt
183. R.Broers
184. M.Busche
185. R.Eastman
186. K.Eeckhout
187. I.Kovalev
188. C.Meier
189. D.Rijntjes
Vespa
Our second wild card team are having a bit of a slow season and with the lack of hilly stages keeping their best Italian away, Vespa do not have particularly strong riders. However its veteren Bettinis final swansong and his recent Tour of Turkey win suggests he has something left for his fans. Gatto, Proni and Bosisio are more logical candidates for a stage win somewhere.
Spoiler 191. G.Bosisio
192. L.Ascani
193. A.Balloni
194. P.Bettini
195. D.Garbelli
196. O.Gatto
197. A.Pagoto
198. A.Proni
199. M.Quinziato
Warner Bros.
Looney tunes to be played by Warner Brothers, we are all familiar with Flecha's breakaway win threat and Dutch sprinet Van der Pluijm is someone who could profit from the right leadout man Facci and Hulsmans could step forward in this regard.
Spoiler 201. A.Castro Rodriguez
202. K.De Ketele
203. M.Facci
204. J.Flecha
205. A.Giraldo
206. K.Hulsmans
207. T.Pinto
208. S.Rosseler
209. M.Van der Pluijm
Edited by Smowz on 10-11-2010 22:49
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| Smowz |
Posted on 10-11-2010 22:53
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Hey Man Gamers,
Been given the chance to race this Giro and I am really looking forward to my first Pro Tour reporting. Hoping to race and report the first set of three stages at the weekend, though of course I will wait for alex to finish the Tour of Romandie! I plan to report the stages in sets of two or three a day once it starts!
Here is the startlist in full, I have not raced any yet and will not probably until Friday evening so any errors please let me know.
Spoiler La Gazzetta
1. D.Cunego
2. J.Agudelo
3. D.De la Fuente
4. R.Flens
5. M.Osella
6. M.Rogers
7. M.Santambrogio
8. D.Van Winden
9. W.Vasquez
Lipton
11. E.Sella
12. C.Di Maggio
13. S.Ghisalberti
14. A.Petrie-Armstrong
15. V.Ratiy
16. E.Rizza
17. M.Rowe
18. D.Stundzia
19. J.Zrimsek
Energie
21. D.Pozzovivo
22. M.Biondo
23. P.Nicácio
24. J.Perez Cuapio
25. J.Tendero
26. G.Veloso
27. A.Vicioso
28. D.Viganò
29. E.Viviani
Vesuvio
31. B.Intxausti
32. M.Barth
33. J.Cabreira
34. N.Clesen
35. T.Costagli
36. M.Ford
37. M.Kittel
38. M.Kvasina
39. D.Medvedev
Domina Vacanze
41. V.Nibali
42. D.Calderón
43. M.Da Dalto
44. H.Duenas Nevado
45. D.Fleeman
46. D.Herrero Llorente
47. T.Martin
48. I.Speirs
49. S.Taberlay
Nespresso
51. S.Henao Montoya
52. H.Broco
53. M.Durán
54. M.Keizer
55. I.Lo Cicero
56. J.Mendes
57. H.Mottin
58. M.Schär
59. R.Traficante
Philips
61. S.Devolder
62. L.Bak
63. S.Cohnen
64. L.Gerdemann
65. E.MartÃnez de Esteban
66. J.Mouris
67. J.Pecharroman
68. N.Scheunemann
69. M.Tjallingii
Pearl
71. J.Rujano
72. M.Cardoso
73. E.Franzoi
74. T.Leezer
75. S.Mancuso
76. P.Panayotov
77. J.RodrÃguez
78. B.Samoilev
79. J.Vastaranta
Festina
81. C.Castaño
82. M.Ardila
83. V.Bileka
84. S.Denifl
85. A.Lavoine
86. R.Maksimov
87. B.Sonnery
88. D.Ulissi
89. J.Van Goolen
Colombia
91. F.Duarte
92. A.Ardila Cano
93. P.Healion
94. S.Joly
95. A.Klöden
96. M.Pinotti
97. W.RodrÃguez Parra
98. T.Swift-Metcalfe
99. A.Tennant
Lafarge
101. J.Tenorio
102. L.Bret
103. M.Docker
104. A.Jeannesson
105. A.Laidler
106. S.Minard
107. S.Pardilla
108. P.Thuaux
109. R.Van Zandbeek
Sony
111. M.Marzano
112. A.Ballan
113. J.Danacik
114. P.Grillo
115. F.Johansson
116. S.Lang
117. D.Muravjev
118. S.Pauwels
119. V.Renäng
Starbucks
121. V.Efimkin
122. M.Breschel
123. F.Ciccarese
124. T.Criel
125. M.Fahnert
126. R.Jaramillo
127. K.Koren
128. M.Renshaw
129. G.Visconti
Wiggle
131. D.Cataldo
132. T.Diggle
133. C.Grippo
134. R.Nocentini
135. M.Pavarin
136. S.Ponzi
137. L.Rowe
138. P.Scarponi
139. J.Tiernan-Locke
Carmeuse
141. J.Suaza
142. T.Bos
143. J.Camier
144. R.Di Gregorio
145. A.Fenn
146. P.Jacobs
147. O.Solis
148. W.Van Den Eynde
149. W.Weylandt
Wolfskin
151. W.Van Huffel
152. J.Cooper
153. K.De Kort
154. J.Donald
155. J.Posthuma
156. L.Ten Dam
157. J.Van Emden
158. B.Vaugrenard
159. R.van der Hugenhaben
Team B&O
161. N.Keinath
162. M.Christensen
163. A.Grivko
164. C.Jørgensen
165. R.Kreuziger
166. K.Nielsen
167. M.Reckweg
168. A.Steensen
169. S.Stenersen
Auber 93
171. P.Rolland
172. M.Bouet
173. N.Brouzes
174. M.Drujon
175. H.Haussler
176. D.Mehr-Wenige
177. F.Morizot
178. J.Thire
179. S.Tronet
Wikipedia
181. M.Sprick
182. T.Brandt
183. R.Broers
184. M.Busche
185. R.Eastman
186. K.Eeckhout
187. I.Kovalev
188. C.Meier
189. D.Rijntjes
Vespa
191. G.Bosisio
192. L.Ascani
193. A.Balloni
194. P.Bettini
195. D.Garbelli
196. O.Gatto
197. A.Pagoto
198. A.Proni
199. M.Quinziato
Warner Bros.
201. A.Castro Rodriguez
202. K.De Ketele
203. M.Facci
204. J.Flecha
205. A.Giraldo
206. K.Hulsmans
207. T.Pinto
208. S.Rosseler
209. M.Van der Pluijm |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 10-11-2010 22:56
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Posts: 31706
Joined: 08-03-2007
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Intxausti isnt Italian so wont win, but there might be a chance of a podium - and Vesuvio must have a good chance in the early flat TTT. And if it gets Intxausti into the race lead, then that is a particularly lucrative points earner, particularly in a Grand Tour.
Im being a bit mean to Intxausti this season. Giro, 3 day gap, Vuelta. Giro is by no means a warm up though, so hopefully he can get at least 5th - to complete the set of a Top 5 performance in all three GTs
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| SotD |
Posted on 11-11-2010 08:23
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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I hope my team will be scoring a lot of stagepoints, given that I have brought 3 decent sprinters, and Ulissi for the hilly finishes...
Castaño and Ardila might have what it takes to finish within the top 10. Hopefully they do :-)
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| jack888 |
Posted on 11-11-2010 09:39
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Yamaha decided to give the Giro a miss, Evans is going to peak later in the season, he would love the chance to come here and win a GT but i had to let him know the team's goals come first.  |
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 11-11-2010 11:45
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Of course ignoring the fact that first year continental teams would never get an invite to the Giro over more established Pro Conti teams
I like your reviews for every team Smowz, you've really been a great addition to the Man-Game this season. However, saying that, I'm aiming for a top 15 GC place with Cataldo rather than a breakaway. I hit my aim last season with Nocentini, so to do it again would be nice with a different rider, especially as he'll be leading here next season (hopefully).
As to Auber's chances? Well, from this point onwards, their points scoring chances are few and far between.
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 11-11-2010 13:17
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4726
Joined: 06-12-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Great work on the preview, smowz.
Tactics here for Vespa and Cafe are pretty similar - outside chance of a decent overall positioning but hoping to sneak a stage win somewhere.
Looking at the route it's a pity there aren't more transitional stages between the mountains.
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 11-11-2010 13:25
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
Joined: 05-08-2008
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This is going to be our weakest GT this year so I don't have any kind of expectations.
A stage win would be awesome though. 
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| mattiasgt |
Posted on 11-11-2010 13:26
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2176
Joined: 15-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice preview.
If Marzano can perform as he did in Paris-Nice and get a top 10 I would be pleased, but not sure how well he will cope with three weeks. Surely, only a fall can stop Cunego from winning.
(Previously) Manager of Koenigsegg
Koenigsegg: ( Media)
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| p3druh |
Posted on 11-11-2010 14:01
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2388
Joined: 28-09-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice preview. Good luck on your first report for the PT
After disappointing races in the Ardennes and the failure to preform in Romandie thus far, it will be fun to see the Giro and what the team can pull off in Italy. Rujano for top 5 would be awesome. Adding a stage win to that would be a complete success.
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 11-11-2010 14:15
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Team Manager
Posts: 31706
Joined: 08-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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SotD wrote:
I hope my team will be scoring a lot of stagepoints, given that I have brought 3 decent sprinters, and Ulissi for the hilly finishes...
Castaño and Ardila might have what it takes to finish within the top 10. Hopefully they do :-)
It will be interesting to see how PCM treats that, because if Ulissi does go for it on the hilly stages, that would likely hinder Castano/Ardila, and PCM Ai doesnt always handle the stage hopes vs overall hopes 'dilemna' very well.
Instead, it may be that Ulissi is 'lucky' enough to be a designated breakaway rider - and become likely to win a stage that way - like Dimitri Claeys did for Domina last year, Claeys and Ulissi having similar hill stats I believe
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| SotD |
Posted on 11-11-2010 14:37
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
Joined: 29-11-2006
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SportingNonsense wrote:
SotD wrote:
I hope my team will be scoring a lot of stagepoints, given that I have brought 3 decent sprinters, and Ulissi for the hilly finishes...
Castaño and Ardila might have what it takes to finish within the top 10. Hopefully they do :-)
It will be interesting to see how PCM treats that, because if Ulissi does go for it on the hilly stages, that would likely hinder Castano/Ardila, and PCM Ai doesnt always handle the stage hopes vs overall hopes 'dilemna' very well.
Instead, it may be that Ulissi is 'lucky' enough to be a designated breakaway rider - and become likely to win a stage that way - like Dimitri Claeys did for Domina last year, Claeys and Ulissi having similar hill stats I believe
Yup, it was a gamble to put him there, but my goal was top 10, and that seemed like a gamle as well, so I could just as well take it a notch further. Ardila + Castaño is also a bit a gamble, since they are very similar in stats, and qualities.
This Giro could be a wonder for me, but could also end up being a horrible disaster. My hopes are on the first scenario. --> Castaño or Ardila in top 10. Lavoine for the flat stages, Sonnery for the harder stages, Ulissi for the hilly top sprints, and some helpers to do whatever needed... Will be fun to watch :-=
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| niconico |
Posted on 11-11-2010 14:51
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3926
Joined: 09-07-2007
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I'm going for the TTT definitely. All of my riders are capable TTists, but none of them are specialists so might be tough. So when that fails I'm hoping for breakaways and stage wins eventhough the A1 may make my team aware that Nico Keinath is a decent rider and make him ride for the GC. He might very well be able to sneak inside the Top 20, but it will also mean that none of my riders will jump in the early break.
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| SotD |
Posted on 11-11-2010 16:01
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
Joined: 29-11-2006
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I don't think your breakawaychances will suffer from having a rider capable of making top 20... Atleast I don't hope the game is that dumb. The chances are that Keinath won't attack through the stages where he was obvious for though.
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| rjc_43 |
Posted on 12-11-2010 18:58
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Team Leader
Posts: 6490
Joined: 13-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Wow, that didn't go that well for Wiggle now did it... Cataldo already 38 seconds down, but that wasn't the thing that got me the most - more that Grippo was slower than control riders!! Shocking man, pull it together!
Again, I'd like to reiterate my pleasure at reading your race reports Smowz. Not many of us put that much effort into TTs especially, and we know how long it takes to write and race them, so, from me at least - thanks an absolute tonne.
[url=cleavercycling.co.uk] [/url] |
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| niconico |
Posted on 12-11-2010 19:02
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3926
Joined: 09-07-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice rides by Færk and Keinath plus three others in the Top 25 bodes well for the TTT.
Great reporting also. This should be a great Giro.
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| Smowz |
Posted on 12-11-2010 19:09
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
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Rjc + A_Scheck: Thanks for your positive comments, thought I better give that one a really good write up. I know what you mean about TTs - it would be very easy to just post five pics. The TTT well I may just do between five and ten pics, not much to say about that (though with 2 int checks I can probably create drama!).
Its great fun to be able to race this I can cheer on whoever I want (but have a soft spot for Vespa/Wiggle)
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 12-11-2010 19:25
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Team Manager
Posts: 31706
Joined: 08-03-2007
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3rd is great for Kittel, and cant complain with 7th for Ford either - should be some points. Just a shame Keizer beat Kittel to the Young Riders jersey
And as it looks like Im the only team with 5 riders in the Top 30, that also bodes well for the TTT. La Gazzetta may lead the teams classification after the stage, but while they do have Rogers, then dont seem to have the depth required for a TTT
Edited by SportingNonsense on 12-11-2010 19:25
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| fenian_1234 |
Posted on 12-11-2010 20:17
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4726
Joined: 06-12-2006
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Top 20 for a Vespa rider. First GT off to a good-ish start. The second best Italian rider on the stage too.
Organziers please take note.
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