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Classique du Grand-Duche Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 03-12-2014 20:10
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11786
Joined: 19-07-2010
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 Classique du Grand-Duche
The ProTour is heading for a tough hilly classic, that goes into it's 4th edition: Luxembourg will host this event, featuring 227kms of short climbs and a steady up-and-down.
Two former race-winners will try to repeat their success, while last year's winner Cunego won't be at the start this time: local hero Frank Schleck (2012) and Yuri Trofimov (2011) do have some good memories here and both podium'd this classic twice. Last year's runner-up Simone Ponzi will also participate.
So who will follow on Cunego? Let's take a look at the startlist and favorites..
The Startlist
The Favorites
| HI | Rider(s) | | | | 85 |  Boasson Hagen | | | | 84 |  Bakelants | | | | 83 |  Trofimov |  Claeys |  Ginanni | | 82 |  Schleck |  Ponzi |  Schumacher | |  Van Garderen | | | | 81 | Gastauer | | | | 80 |  Gilbert |  vd Hugenhaben |  Costa | |  Flügel | Klemme | | | 79 |  Sanchez Gil |  Valverde | Schreurs | | McCarthy | | | | 78 |  Sagan |  Vanendert | |
World champion Hagen (last year's 5th) as the obvious first pick, followed by Bakelants (30th last year, after crashing out of the group of favorites less than 5km before finish), Trofimov (3rd), Ginanni (6th) and Claeys (8th) know the pure hill skills on their plus side.
Schleck (supported by Gastauer) missed the podium for the first time in 2013, finishing as 4th though.. Ponzi, Schumacher and Van Garderen will of course be as dangerous as the previous names.
Guys like Gilbert (7th last year), van der Hugenhaben, Costa, Flügel, LLS Gil or Valverde will at least aim or hope for a Top-10, with all standing a chance to compete with the very best on a very good day.
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| roturn |
Posted on 03-12-2014 20:12
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Team Manager
Posts: 22043
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Top15 must be the goal here. Top10 would obviously be nice.
With LLS, Roux, Boom and Thurau I have riders for several attacks here, though I expect a calm Ardennes Week like performance here. |
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 03-12-2014 20:26
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Team Manager
Posts: 31706
Joined: 08-03-2007
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Home race is always important. Let's see if old man Schleck can draw inspiration from his brother.
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 03-12-2014 20:28
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Sprinter
Posts: 1982
Joined: 07-02-2009
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Schumacher should be able to crack the top 20 
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| ember |
Posted on 03-12-2014 20:29
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Team Leader
Posts: 7059
Joined: 27-03-2008
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Boasson Hagen has been disappointing in the hilly classics so far this season, and this is his penultimate chance with only Lombardia left after this one of the one day races. Fingers crossed he can grab a podium, and then I'm obviously hoping for the win.
Contador is here to complete his race days, which should make our team strong enough to chase down dangerous breakaways with both Levarlet and Contador here. |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 03-12-2014 20:35
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World Champion
Posts: 13561
Joined: 05-08-2008
PCM$: 400.00
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tsmoha, again! 
Vanendert, woohoo!
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 03-12-2014 20:46
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World Champion
Posts: 10452
Joined: 19-11-2010
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alexkr00 wrote:
tsmoha, again!
Vanendert, woohoo!
If there was something like member of the month - I think we would have an easy winner this month.
Looking forward to the race.
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 03-12-2014 20:56
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11786
Joined: 19-07-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Alakagom wrote:
alexkr00 wrote:
tsmoha, again!
Vanendert, woohoo!
If there was something like member of the month - I think we would have an easy winner this month.
:*
I may ask Mars to open a new thread with this idea 
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| beagle |
Posted on 03-12-2014 21:41
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4235
Joined: 06-10-2007
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TOP 10 is acceptable, TOP 5 would be great, repeating of Fleche Wallone scenario would be miracle.
C´mon, member of the month (something like Miss November?), do your usual work (perfect one) and bring me that miracle 
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 03-12-2014 21:43
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Team Leader
Posts: 6178
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No real goal here, but should be an interesting event nontheless. Go Costa!
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 08-12-2025 01:38
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| Smowz |
Posted on 03-12-2014 22:22
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
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Tsmoha sums up the hill stars well... And underlines any silly hopes I might have of making any sort of impact in these races as utterly foolish.
Still one can dream of a fluke breakaway win?
Cmon old man Schleck one more Douchebag crown for you... Gotta fancy Hagen based on stats though!
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| Roman |
Posted on 03-12-2014 22:44
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4279
Joined: 29-05-2007
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Anything better than nothing will be good enough here. Go Sagan!
And by the way, I really like that tsmoha bloke. Decent preview, it clearly shows me there is a long way to go for Sagan. 
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 03-12-2014 23:31
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2773
Joined: 31-12-2007
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Trofimov podium? Yes, please!
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| SotD |
Posted on 04-12-2014 18:24
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World Champion
Posts: 12631
Joined: 29-11-2006
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Dissapointing not to have a single rider try something. I went for a team without a leader, yet none of the guys took the chance they were given. That's pretty bad.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 04-12-2014 18:27
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 17833
Joined: 12-05-2012
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Enjoyed that race as a neutral. Great route which produced a solid race. Trofimov having a great season as is Ponzi. Nothing too shocking in the results, minus Costa. And Bakelants just ow.
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| ember |
Posted on 04-12-2014 18:52
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Team Leader
Posts: 7059
Joined: 27-03-2008
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Very disappointing from Boasson Hagen, he has simply not been close to what I expected in the classics this season having last season and his training before this season in mind.
But huge congratulations to Oleg, Trofimov really bossing it with Ponzi the only one close. Very unfortunate for Crommy and Bakelants that he went down, as he definitely looked strong before that crash.
And thanks for the report, tsmoha! |
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| Heine |
Posted on 04-12-2014 20:03
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4470
Joined: 08-04-2007
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Well done by Flügel, better placed than I expected
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| Roman |
Posted on 04-12-2014 20:40
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4279
Joined: 29-05-2007
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Great result from Sagan. Big congrats to Oleg, and big thanks once again to tsmoha!
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| Smowz |
Posted on 04-12-2014 20:43
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Team Leader
Posts: 6386
Joined: 09-04-2009
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douche bag is trofimov then, he has a great knack for attacking at the right time.
Very surprised how rubbish Hagen was, Aker could have done with something before the tour. Some useful points for good energy who were quiet in recent stage races - Boutgues back to bum notes.
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| OlegTinkov |
Posted on 04-12-2014 21:20
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2773
Joined: 31-12-2007
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| Nat. | Date | Race | Uci |  | 6th | Badaling International |  Classic |  | 1st (S4, S5 and Points) | Volta Ciclista a Catalunya | Stage Race | | 1st | Vuelta al Pais Vasco | Stage Race |  | 1st | Amstel Gold Race | Classic |  | 3rd | Fleche Wallone | Classic | | 2nd | Liege- Bastogne - Liege | Monument |  | 5th (S10) | Giro d'Italia | Grand Tour |  | 1st | Classique du Grand-Duché | Classic |
...let's make a tsmoha of the year award and give it to SportingNonsense and make a SportingNonsense of the year award and give it to tsmoha.
Edited by OlegTinkov on 04-12-2014 21:21
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