Bienvenidos a Mexicooooo! It is the eighth edition of the Mexican team time trial, and the good news is no one will leave the race empty handed. Fourteen teams have made it here, and even the two worst teams will be rewarded ten points. It is a surprise that last year’s podium will be absent. Winner Desigual and runner up Valio – Viking Genetics did not have the funds and/or race days left to make the trip to North America, while Team UBS is doing their thing in the Pro Tour. Duolingo was fourth here last year and is the best of those teams to make it back. They do have a lot of ambition, as their sponsor insists on winning the race! As you know, the Monterrey profile isn’t really a perfect match for pure time trialists, as there is quite some elevation. Now, let’s have a look at the lists of teams and the corresponding numbers to see who will be amongst the favourites mañana. The first list is the strength of the teams purely looking at their TT skills, while in the second their mountain stat is equally as important.
Team
Average TT
Repsol - Netflix
76,5
Duolingo
75,63
Polar
75
Mapei
74,88
Minions
74,75
Glanbia Foods Cycling Project
74,63
Project: Africa
74,5
Azteca - NBCSN
73,25
DK - SVA Zalgiris
73,25
Berg Cycles
71,25
Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff
68,25
Trans cycling Team
67,75
Gjensidige Pro Cycling
67,38
Andorra Cycling Project
64,5
Team
Average TT
Average Mountain
Average average
Azteca - NBCSN
73,25
70
71,63
Polar
75
67,75
71,38
Repsol - Netflix
76,5
65,88
71,19
Minions
74,75
65
69,88
Duolingo
75,63
63,87
69,75
Berg Cycles
71,25
68,25
69,75
DK - SVA Zalgiris
73,25
66
69,63
Trans cycling Team
67,75
67,13
67,44
Project: Africa
74,5
60
67,25
Mapei
74,88
59,12
67
Glanbia Foods Cycling Project
74,63
58,5
66,56
Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff
68,25
64,75
66,5
Gjensidige Pro Cycling
67,38
62,12
64,75
Andorra Cycling Project
64,5
65
64,75
Repsol – Netflix are the best time trial team here, with Duolingo, Polar, Mapei and Minions right behind them. Glanbia Foods Cycling Project then in sixth as the best CT team, with other CT outfit Project: Africa only slightly worse.
If the mountains prove to be decisive though, we will see Azteca – NBCSN rise to the top of the rankings. It wouldn’t be the first time this season they surprise favourites Repsol – Netflix, as they also beat them in Catalunya earlier this year, where we saw even less elevation than we will have tomorrow. DK - SVA Zalgiris managed a top-5 position here this year, and looking at the average they might be repeating that performance. They will have to beat Berg Cycles to do that though, who have a weaker tt squad, but are stronger uphill. The three time trial teams that could really suffer from the Mexican climbs are Project: Africa, Mapei and Glanbia Foods Cycling Project. Not a lot to be expected from Trans cycling Team, Team Popo4Ever p/b Nemiroff, Gjensidige Pro Cycling and Andorra Cycling Project, it is up to them to prove me wrong.
Good luck to everyone, here’s the full startlist for the people who enjoy looking at startlists.
I think I make the Monterrey-is-just-a-TTT-so-it-should-be-flat mistake every year. We've won our fair share of TTT events this year, but even that confidence won't be enough to conquer those climbs. Top 5 would be cool nonetheless.
Azteca could be in for a pleasing home victory indeed. Good luck everyone and thanks again Nemo!
Wow, I've seen a lot of strange situations in TTTs over the years, but I'm not sure I've ever seen a win thrown away with such a massive split right through the middle of a team!
Commiserations to Polar there. Interesting how the uphill part played a decisive role.
The reverse of the South Africa TTT, starting too fast this time. Fifth is our best result ever here but I'd think a podium was definitely a possibility. Perhaps we were distracted by the Trans jersey.
Thanks for the report Nemolito, the favourite banana lovers enjoyed it!
Quite the amusing result after all. Failed goal, but good points in the bag and that's what matters in the end. Very surprising results to be honest here.
A very entertaining report once again, Nemo, thanks for continuning to deliver such great pieces!
And congrat Zalgris. Intxausti seems to have paid his worth here I guess.
The hills make a HUGE difference in PCM TT and TTT. Our squad isn't geared too well for that and as expected that made us suffer a bit. Not too bad in the end.
Monterrey TTT
