I've got some bad news. Certainly I need somebody to race Volta Limburg Classic. Just today I tried to do the report, but experienced some problems, which I just don't have the time to look more into (f.e. riders are missing from teams though I have the EPIC_2.1 DB as Kittel from Belkin, some not-working jerseys..)
I'm sorry I waited this long until I even tried it as this causes some delay now.
However, I'm still gonna write the preview. Please raise your hand when you could take over the report and I'll PM you the startlist.
Anyone?
I could do it, but it won't come earlier than next week.
nacho63 wrote:
Is it okay if I do a text report with a s/s of the winner? Struggling for time with exams to be uploading screenshots and everything. I'll also be able to upload a photo album at another time.
On my part I just want the season part to end as fast as possible, so no problem with a text report.
Realisticaly speaking, I will need more reporters for the next season part. In theory, it worked out well, but for various reasons a few people reported a lot more then they should have (for which I am gratefull of course!).
We start coverage with 50 kilometres raced. The breakaway were able to get away with ease and the group of 8 had built up a lead of 2'31.
The group consists of Devenyns (BMC), Bonnet (COF), Vliegen (LTB), King (CAN), Nys (CRE), Ravard (ALM), Saramotins (IAM), Navardauskas (GRS).
100km to go the image shows the story of the peloton so far. Led by Belkin for Vanmarcke, OPQS work for Boonen while Europcar also are interested.
Moments later Luca Paolini (VCD) puts in an attack out of the peloton and he's left to ride alone up the road. At this point the break has over a 5 minute advantage.
The breakaway hits the first cobble section of the race, relatively unchallenge but is faced with a slope.
With 75km to go, Luca Paolini successfully reaches the front group, the break still has an advantage of 4'21".
With 50km to go, Verboven (EUS) decides he doesn't want to wait either and puts an attack in over short section of cobbles.
10km later he is able to nearly make it to the nine man group on short tough climb, the race becomes tricker from here.
With just over 30km to race, Peter Sagan (CAN) puts in attack, he has King already in the break, the riders up front might have to get tactical.
After a tricky cobbled climb, the race splits up. Two OPQS and Three Belkin riders, including Vanmarcke have a gap on 3 groups of favourites.
Paolini is on the attack again, out of the breakaway group but is brought back, Peter Sagan makes it up to the back of the break group with 25km to go.
Vanmarcke is with two teammates 1'12" back and the group of favourites in 2'42".
20km to go and Paolini attacks again... Followed by Vanmarcke who only just reached the front group. Peter Sagan reacts also but is 10 seconds behind.
15km to go Varmarcke and Paolini are a duo with Sagan fighting to get to them. Behind the earlier break group and the group of favourites come together.
10km to go The front two have a 19 second gap to Sagan and a 59" gap to a group of 35 who are working to bring it them back.
5km to go and there are no changes in time gaps, it looks like it will be between Varmarcke, Paolini and Sagan he is slightly behind still.
With the finish coming up, Sagan looks to be out of juice, FDJ rider Ladagnous attacks.
We start the sprint, Paolini comes up side by side. Everyone else is absorbed by that group behind.
Paolini is too powerful as Varmarcke has nothing left. Kue Khanse (EUC) wins the bunch sprint and finishs 3rd.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [PT] Xero Racing
But i have less to say on this race than usual after one rider mention which makes me think we might be on for a decent finish only to have the named rider nowhere and not even our best rider....
Yes Yes Yes!!! Our first win of the season and Luca Paolini takes the initiative and attacks a lot (no, I don't think that it is credited to the break of the day thing, since he attacked after and finished with Vanmarke).
We are heading to the Netherlands ending the first season part. Volta Limburg Classic will take us round the Dutch province of Limburg, where the riders are going to battle it out for the win.
HISTORY
This race saw some blistering action in it's last year's edition, which was the first under EPIC conditions. Because of a big group getting away at the beginning, the pace was high overall and only 14 riders came to the last kilometers altogether, where Maxim Iglinsky (Astana) took his chance and snatched a solo win by a late attack. Behind him, John Degenkolb (Argos) and Willem Brouwer (Belkin) completed the podium.
PROFILE
On the picture, this year's profile looks like a rather hard one, providing all the chances for puncheurs. But you should take a closer look on the heights and you will see that these climbs are rather little ones. Thus, basically, the race may be called flat - though it nevertheless grants options to attack or even drop the fast guys by pulling the pack with a high tempo. In the end, it will come down to the question whether the strongest sprinters will survive. Or will we possibly see another late attack taking the win?
RIDERS
First of all, here is the startlist. I'm sorry, that it is not in a shiny picture, but that is because it didn't work with my PCM (screw you!).
Spoiler
Belkin
Bol
Boom
Bos
Kittel
Leezer
Tjallingii
Vanmarcke
Wippert
Giant
M. Kreder
R. Kreder
Ludvigsson
Timmer
Peterson
Van Poppel
Veelers
Lotto
Brian Bulgac
Sander Cordeel
Gert Dockx
Daan Olivier
Kenny Van Hummel
Dennis Vanendert
Jelle Vanendert
Tim Wellens
Sojasun
El Fares
Engoulvent
Gallant
Laborie
Lemoine
Poux
Vacansoleil
Wesley Kreder
Pim Ligthart
Luca Paolini
Domenico Pozzovivo
Nicky van Drenthe
Boy van Poppel
Giovanni Visconti
And now on to the favourites. As we have learned that numbers sometimes don't mean that much in PCM, I'll let them away this time.
Obviously, the sprinters are to be considered favourites. And there is quite a huge number of them! Belkin brings their superstar Kittel, Movistar goes all in for Calzone, FDJ will work hard for Bouhanni and MTN will try to guide Abundi safely over the hills.
But there are many more: AG2R has a sprint-trio in Appollonio, Hutarovich and Markus. Giant will probably rely on Veelers, while Bardiani brings Modolo. CCC's Sinkeldam could probably fancy his chances, as well as Martinez for Cofidis. NetApp has a duo in Arndt and Selig
Lotto however has several options with Van Hummel for the sprints, but also Vanendert and Wellens for a harder race. You could also argue, they missed the race's character again, but I won't do that, because I would look stupid then when either Vanendert or Wellens achieve a result. And it would overlook that Vacansoleil's Pozzovivo is an even more exceptional choice.
Bretagne, Drapac, Lampre and Sojasun will probably go for some breakaway action.
I hope you feel well informed now. I am eager to see the race, I hope you will join in again on the live coverage
42nd Volta Limburg Classic
