The Ronde van het IJsselmeer was a popular addition to the PCT calendar last year, more down to the weather than the profile (225km, invariably flat) - its position near the Dutch Sea invites wind and harsh weather and last year provided, with wind speeds nearing 70km/h and stormy conditions.
Holloway triumphed that day in an entertaining race, despite being a sprint favourite he leapt clear of the front echelon and took a solo victory ahead of lone chaser Luke Rowe and a small group sprint behind after crosswinds and wet conditions tore the race apart. This year he has taken the step down to the CT with the race, and after such a dominant victory in a PCT field, and a dominant CT season so far, can anybody in cycling's third tier stop him doubling up?
Name
FLA
SPR
ACC
STA
RES
Leadout
SPR
Holloway
78
80
82
77
77
Sweeting
76
Mohs
74
82
80
71
62
Szalontay
78
Granjel Cabrera
75
80
77
75
71
Dockx
77
Moser
72
80
79
73
69
Fonseca
78
Drapac
71
80
79
70
65
Major
75
Krieger
71
79
79
71
74
Young
78
Bogdanovics
73
78
77
74
69
Keough
78
Vingerling
71
79
79
72
66
Ratto
75
Carsi
70
80
82
66
69
Ratto
75
Young
74
78
77
74
70
Canola
75
Sobota
72
78
78
74
65
Franczak
76
Korzh
74
78
80
73
65
McCabe
71
Boev
72
78
78
74
67
Reza
76
Markus
73
77
78
74
68
Ariesen
76
Jones
72
78
78
66
65
Berger
77
Tleubayev
72
77
77
70
70
Oka
71
Docker
71
78
75
67
69
Changpad
76
Mansilla
71
76
76
71
66
Dupont
75
Dupont
72
75
77
73
68
Kal
72
Nikolcevic
74
74
73
74
76
van Schip
71
Here are the likely candidates for a sprint finish, with every team's top sprinter, and doubling up in possible cases of dual leadership. Holloway leads the way, however (particularly given the better leadout) Mohs will feel hard done by with that analysis and will be a very tough contender at the finish, especially if it's an easier race than last year, however after some echelons and battles for position he pales compared to Holloway, or even Granjel Cabrera and Krieger. The other name with a big leadout is Moser, who's Euskaltel team is matched only by GCN in terms of the train. Holloway has two great riders in front of him in Sweeting and Frankovic, but they don't have the top speed of their rivals, and so the key for any pretenders to the throne will be to win the race before the sprint opens up - aside from Mohs, everybody needs to be a bike length or two ahead of Holloway to win, one would think. Drapac is the final name to place in this upper tier, and has the worst leadout, but a sprinter as experienced as he knows how to find the right wheel, regardless of if they are wearing the same colours as him.
Name
FLA
STA
RES
SPR
ACC
Holloway
78
77
77
80
82
Ratto
79
74
66
75
73
Granjel Cabrera
75
75
71
80
77
Young
74
74
70
78
77
Ariesen
74
71
70
76
76
Frankovic
74
71
78
74
76
Nikolcevic
74
74
76
74
73
Gate
74
73
74
74
73
Kal
74
69
70
72
73
Veyhe
78
65
69
56
78
Reckweg
76
76
71
68
72
Broers
76
76
71
65
69
Van Emden
74
71
71
71
70
Cherkasov
77
69
72
68
72
Batmunkh
73
72
72
74
74
Palyi
73
72
73
72
74
There is also, as seen last year, a second category of riders who might fancy their luck - the roleurs. Holloway tops this list, for his credentials see last year, and we also see Granjel Cabrera on here, who doesn't mix it up as often as the American but certainly has the power to duke it out in a more tactical and power-based finale. Ratto is the other name to watch, a wily customer with huge power, a fast finish and two sprinters ahead of him who know how to get dropped.
Otherwise both Young and Ariesen toe the line of roleur-sprinter in a way that could be perfectly suited to this race, as does Nikolcevic but on a lesser level, whilst Frankovic would make a great lieutenant for Holloway in this situation, and perhaps even a foil, attacking to ease the pressure on his captain. Netia and Signal Iduna have both brought many options to disturb the sprint routine, as is the well-worked philosophy of their managers - notably Kal, who showed his classics credentials at PCT level just a couple of months ago with a surprise podium in Frankfurt, whilst Veyhe brings hype with him wherever he goes, and surely must deliver on that one day.
For me obviously hoping Signal Iduna can do well here, Xero and Evonik leave high expectations for flat classics and we have a decent squad for them.
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
Pessimistic about this one, these tough one day races tend to go to attackers and pretty sure team tactics will have Holloway riding for the sprint.
If it goes to a sprint very much doubt the full leadout will be intact at the end of this which means Holloway gets dropped off too early and leads out someone else.
Would love to see Frankovic on the attack but don't think he has the Flat for that.
Stunning stuff from Kal here, made it slightly awkward to report but loved it also, must have been on a +3-5 day but what a legend he is, could be a great result for us going forward.
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
Mirac Kal with another impressive performance proving he is much more than a meme rider. Very strong for a rider who only signed a contract after every other amateur rider already signed theirs
Beaten by Holloway is nothing to be ashamed of, second place is a very good result for Drapac! Also nice to see Albert and Marcos picking up points, and Flaksis being active.
Thanks for the wonderful report jandal, and congrats McCormick!
Thanks for a very entertaining report both for the writing and the outcome. From the moment we got a 2 rider break I felt better about things. I feel guilty now for my lack of faith in the team.
For once there was a sprint were I'm not disappointed with Mohs not winning. Holloway has been a beast all year and takes another win. But the surprise for me is the 3rd place for Mohs.
This year has been either win or nothing at all, so a podium is a pleasant surprise
Ronde van het IJsselmeer
