There will be 20 C2HC races this season, totalling 72 race days. This is an increase from last year's 60, but is in the context of an overall increase from 120 to 150 race days for CT teams.
There are new races, new profiles and category changes and unchanged races in the mix this year, with a varied mixture of terrain types. In addition to those posted in the new races thread, Vilnius GP returns to the MG - not as a classic, but as the first CT-only standalone TTT.
Profiles changes include GP Cyclistes, Tour de Slovenie, the Andorra TT and the Benelux Challenge cobbled stage. As with all previous ITT classics, Windhoek ITT now has two time trials - although still only rewards classic-based ranking points for the final standings.
After some previously mentioned additions I was excited to see what's new here, didn't disapoint, the Andorra ITT certainly is a big point up in my consideration as it suits the race perfectly, Midi Libre is the one I liked the most obviously, excited for it.. Turkey and Vilnius let's see, but Vilnius should suit my team in case I keep my structure, and some extra TT racing this year should also be good for us
Haven checked the whole thing yet but you mentioned a lot of cobbled-stage in a stage race research had gone on. Has this changed the Benelux challenge stage at all, serif as that doesn't work (partly down to superhuman Jams last year though) very well
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
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
C2HC calendar looks good at first glance, I'll have to look at it again when I've got more time to see how my current leaders and transfer targets look like they would cope with it.
But it does look nice and varied so I have hope that I'll be able to put together a squad that can challenge in a few more of these races then we did the season just gone.
Just got to hope that renewals and transfers both go somewhat to plan.
Only 1 downhill finish (on Stage 2 of Andorra) and no flat finish out of all the mountain stages is a little disappointing, however the fact that the mountain stage races include a mix of 1 with a TTT, 1 with a TT and a hilly stage, one with a prologue and a lot of flat stages means there is still potential for varied results throughout them and that it's less likely to have 1 rider dominate all of them than it was last year.
Hopefully the C2 races will feature a couple more downhill finishes to mountain stages, if not that might be something to look at to further diversify next season as I'm guessing it is too late to change it now routes are being revealed.
How many riders will be in the Vilnius GP for each team?
Aha, Midi Libre was not meant to be a TTT. Will be an ITT. There is a TTT/Mountain race in C2 though.
I've never really been a fan of downhill finishes, but can double check what C2 races currently have for them. The new mountain classic in C2 does have a downhill finish at least.
Vilnius will be 6-8 riders required, as with almost all races.
Great Ocean Road Classic
Geraardsbergen-Bosberg
Gisborne GP
Tour du Faso
Tour d'Andorra
Benelux Challenge
Grands Prix Cyclistes
Paris-Tours
Zuri Metzgete
Colombian Venteaux
Tour de Slovenie
Lincoln GP
Windhoek ITT
Tour de Langkawi
Tour of Turkey
Euskal Bizikleta
Vilnius GP
Course de Solidarnosc
