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Classica San Sebastian - Discussion
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 01-03-2026 23:39
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 28-02-2026 00:20
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Directeur Sportif
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Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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 Clasica San Sebastian
The PTHC Clasica San Sebastian’s 19th edition will be contested over the same course as last year. Last year’s winner  Schmid is back to defend his title. But he faces an impressive field led by two riders coming off stage race wins -  Lopez having dominated in Scandanavia while  Stannard won the USA Pro Cycling Challenge with a dash in the last 400 meters of the last stage.
 Hirschi and  Vansevenant are the other top names. Schmid finds himself well down the list but one of his advantages is a fast finish. The last few names on the list aren’t as strong on the hills but would be other strong players if it comes down to a small group sprint.
| Rider | FL | MM | HI | SP | AC | RS | ST | | Lopez | 70 | 82 | 84 | 66 | 78 | 74 | 76 | | Hirschi | 71 | 79 | 81 | 66 | 75 | 78 | 78 | | Vansevenant | 74 | 78 | 81 | 70 | 80 | 78 | 79 | | Stannard | 73 | 77 | 81 | 69 | 78 | 76 | 75 |  Eiking | 71 | 75 | 81 | 68 | 76 | 74 | 78 |  Skujins | 68 | 75 | 81 | 66 | 73 | 74 | 77 |  Ardila | 67 | 81 | 80 | 62 | 75 | 70 | 69 |  Aranburu | 69 | 79 | 80 | 68 | 71 | 79 | 70 |  Valter | 72 | 79 | 80 | 69 | 78 | 75 | 76 |  Van Niekerk | 69 | 78 | 80 | 64 | 74 | 75 | 72 |  Buchmann | 70 | 78 | 80 | 64 | 71 | 72 | 71 |  Kelderman | 68 | 75 | 80 | 65 | 69 | 72 | 77 | | Müller | 70 | 74 | 80 | 66 | 73 | 71 | 76 |  Champoussin | 68 | 79 | 79 | 59 | 76 | 76 | 76 | | Schmid | 72 | 78 | 79 | 70 | 79 | 78 | 73 |  De Plus | 72 | 78 | 79 | 61 | 72 | 73 | 74 |  Paret-Peintre | 72 | 77 | 77 | 72 | 74 | 75 | 73 | | Guerreiro | 71 | 77 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 73 |  Quita | 74 | 76 | 77 | 71 | 74 | 75 | 75 |
24 teams and 190 riders take the start, 11 from PTHC.
Startlist
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 28-02-2026 03:10
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16687
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PCM$: 14538.70
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I'd probably be better off if Aranburu didn't ruin our tires by riding the race and just went home. But we'll have to hope for a miracle. Thanks for the preview!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| seancoll |
Posted on 28-02-2026 03:25
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Breakaway Specialist
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Maybe I'm not watching the PT enough, but it just always feels tough to predict anyone other than Lopez or Vansevenant. And who knows... there's always Pidcock!
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 28-02-2026 03:36
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7610
Joined: 11-04-2012
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We need a big score here. Kelderman has a good opportunity but Edmondson has shown some good form in races like this. We really are hoping for a decent points haul here. Hopefully Wilco can perform an maybe grab a top 10 if not better.
Thanks for the preview. Good luck everyone!
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| knockout |
Posted on 28-02-2026 06:36
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8332
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
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This race often feels a bit rabdom but lopez is of course a big favourite. I would like to see a podium here.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 28-02-2026 07:59
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World Champion
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Hopefully Champoussin will continue his good form from Scandivania and our July form and get in the mix for the top 10.
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 28-02-2026 09:19
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Grand Tour Champion
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In Aidan we trust
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| ember |
Posted on 28-02-2026 10:02
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Team Leader
Posts: 7141
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
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Agree this race often feels a bit random. Need perfect positioning on the climb, and especially over the top and into the descent to bein the mix here. Fingers crossed, Valter! |
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 28-02-2026 15:07
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Sprinter
Posts: 1967
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Thanks for the preview, Ulrich! I'm also looking forward to another great report I'll probably be able to read in three days! Our hopes are a top 10 from APP, but it's more probable we're just here for some depth points instead.
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 28-02-2026 19:20
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Classics Specialist
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Quietly optimistic about Quita doign something here but I will not be let down if he doesn't. Lopez is leaps and bounds above everyone else so should be a slam dunk for him.
Thanks for the preview!
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| liefwarrior |
Posted on 28-02-2026 19:34
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Breakaway Specialist
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We are hoping this one is for the climbers with both THJ and YAP in attendance, although I am already concerned by the fact that Polanc is wearing the leader's number...
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| sammyt93 |
Posted on 28-02-2026 21:17
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3846
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Ready for disappointment as always
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 28-02-2026 21:28
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Team Leader
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Hard to look past Lopez here, but I'm hoping Stannard can prove USA Pro Cycling Challenge wasn't a one-off, but looking at that list anything from 2nd to 15th should be fair.
Good luck everyone. Thanks for the preview UU!
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 01-03-2026 09:37
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Classics Specialist
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Reported on this last year and agree with all points above Positioning on climb is all important barely see any changes in order from 5km to 1km due to the steep descent (where Schmiid won it last year) I'm interested in APP, Schmiid, Quota and Guerriero here as was shown last year you get a strong kick for 300-500m before the stamina of the hill guys kick in and either of those well positioned could take the other by surprise |
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 01-03-2026 10:20
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Team Leader
Posts: 5964
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GL 
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| knockout |
Posted on 01-03-2026 15:53
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8332
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
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Yes baby, thats my guy <3
Lopez extremely strong here, winning almost completely on his own. He played it perfectly being there in all the moves without doing too much himself before countering over the top of the climb. Cant blame the rest of the team to not be present in the final as i've sent a super reduced support group and they apparently did their work in the first part of the race.
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| alexkr00 |
Posted on 01-03-2026 15:54
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World Champion
Posts: 13659
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MAL doing his part perfectly in the quest to bring Evonik at the top of the rankings this month.
I had really hoped being in front on that downhill would help Champoussin fight for the podium, but with that sprint stat of his, he was really going backwards there. Decent place in the end though.
Thanks for the report!
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 01-03-2026 19:23
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Team Leader
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MAL Indeed stamping his authority to spring Evonik upwards. Congrats KO!
Can't complain much after assuming that a plcaing as low as 15th could be on the cards. Stannard was never well placed during the day. Another defeat in the battle against relegation, with Hirschi and Amezawa among others deservingly taking higher places.
Amused to see Aranburu disproving bbl. My lads could take a lesson or two 
Very good report, thanks UU!
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 01-03-2026 20:14
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16687
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 14538.70
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My complaints once again prove to be my riders' best form of motivation.
Maybe there is something to the rumors of the old nationality bonus in PCM. Otherwise surprising to say the least that Aranburu pulls out his best race in years in the top Basque classic. Very very surprised he could pull that off, given both the length of the race and the fact that he was the first of the contenders to attack in the wind. I was already happy to be in the top 10, so for him to leap onto the podium in the sprint was really awesome. Must have been quite the day daily form wise. I guess the race itself wasn't too hard in the early parts as some other low stamina guys did okay too.
These are the types of races we need sporadically over the second half of the year to stay afloat. Great to bank some points here and with a guy who has underperformed up to now.
Congrats to knockout and thank you Ulrich for the detailed report!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 01-03-2026 20:26
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7859
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 22145.00
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Twelfth is a fine result. Congrats knockout and thanks UU!
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