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Zuri Metzgete - Discussion
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 30-05-2025 16:40
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Zuri Metzgete
This is Zürich calling for the third race of the Grand Finale Triple - Zuri Metzgete. This race is important for the third and lowest division in the MGUCI hierrarchy and here fates are decided and the only way is up. Much like its PCT counterpart Giro dell'Emilia, Zuri Metzgete is also a hilly race where the more hilly specialists tend to excel. Last year it was Luca Wackermann on the top, but unlike Areruya in Emilia, it was not enough for his team (Bordeaux Métropole - Euskotren) to clinch a promotion spot. Aurelien Paret-Peintre, who finished as runner-up, did help Ekoi - Le Creuset to level up. Morin and Eiking this year will share the same colors as their team - Hilcona Racing Team, is unfortunately bowing out at the end of the season, but want to end it with a bang. We also have a 4-way battle for PCT promotion, where anything can happen. But what does the panel say?
| Rider | MT | HI | ST | RS | SP | AC | Eiking | 69 | 81 | 78 | 74 | 68 | 76 | Moscon | 73 | 80 | 76 | 77 | 60 | 73 | Waeytens | 70 | 79 | 70 | 68 | 65 | 71 | Jensen | 69 | 79 | 76 | 72 | 65 | 75 | Bystrom | 68 | 79 | 75 | 72 | 68 | 76 | Beltran | 76 | 78 | 68 | 67 | 63 | 71 | Morin | 65 | 78 | 75 | 73 | 69 | 76 | Yates | 65 | 78 | 77 | 74 | 62 | 69 | Raileanu | 77 | 77 | 74 | 73 | 59 | 70 | Guerreiro | 76 | 77 | 73 | 73 | 72 | 72 | Lyu | 75 | 77 | 75 | 76 | 63 | 74 | Lafay | 75 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 63 | 74 | Zordan | 73 | 77 | 72 | 72 | 65 | 74 | Serrano | 72 | 77 | 73 | 75 | 68 | 77 | Izagirre | 70 | 77 | 67 | 66 | 56 | 58 | Quevedo | 70 | 77 | 70 | 70 | 64 | 73 | Carr | 70 | 77 | 74 | 71 | 59 | 72 | Nikiema | 70 | 77 | 72 | 74 | 70 | 76 | Sirironnachai | 66 | 77 | 77 | 74 | 64 | 73 | Lopez | 78 | 76 | 71 | 72 | 60 | 78 |
As we've said - Hilcona wants to end their short, but sweet run in the MGUCI family with a win and they have not one, but two top-tier riders in Eiking and Morin. But they'll face tough opposition from Gianni Moscon, who's doing great for Cérvelo this season. And like Hilcona, they also have a solid second option in Zico Waeytens. Kristian Haugaard Jensen had a dreadful Tour of Britain and he would want to finish the season on a high note as his team is battling for promotion. And even though he's not on the list, we shouldn't count Julien Bernard out as he may be within an outside chance for victory and he has proven to go mano e mano with the best hill specialists on more than one occasion. Spark Team NZ is another team that eyes a promotion and have sent their biggest weapons here in Eduard Alexander Beltran and Joel Yates. Currently in 5th place in the team standings Duvel-Tsingtao want to make sure they stay there by sending Xianjing Lyu, but compared to other punchy riders, he's rather with an outside winning chances.
And here is the startlist for the final CT race. Like with Giro dell'Emilia, we'll do an deep analysis later on the battle for promotion. Stay tuned.
Spoiler | Last name | First name | 2024 Team | | Raileanu | Cristian | Babymetal | | Gaspar | Joao | Babymetal | | Verschaeve | Viktor | Babymetal | | Kawasaki | Miori | Babymetal | | Koide | Itsuki | Babymetal | | Todome | Yuhi | Babymetal | | Yamada | Takumi | Babymetal | | Yamaguchi | Eiji | Babymetal | | Moscon | Gianni | Cervelo Test Team | | Waeytens | Zico | Cervelo Test Team | | Zordan | Andrea | Cervelo Test Team | | Izagirre | Ion | Cervelo Test Team | | Boily | David | Cervelo Test Team | | Hamilton | Lucas | Cervelo Test Team | | Pickrell | Riley | Cervelo Test Team | | Vacek | Mathias | Cervelo Test Team | | Lyu | Xianjing | Duvel-Tsingtao | | Hermans | Quinten | Duvel-Tsingtao | | Egger | Mike Aaron | Duvel-Tsingtao | | Roosen | Timo | Duvel-Tsingtao | | Dewulf | Stan | Duvel-Tsingtao | | Ma | Guangtong | Duvel-Tsingtao | | Van Lerberghe | Bert | Duvel-Tsingtao | | Shen | Yutao | Duvel-Tsingtao | | Bystrom | Sven Erik | Ethiopian Airlines | | Vendrame | Andrea | Ethiopian Airlines | | Hamilton | Chris | Ethiopian Airlines | | Schönberger | Sebastian | Ethiopian Airlines | | Goncalves | Gaspar | Ethiopian Airlines | | Khederi | Souheil | Ethiopian Airlines | | Kipruto | Ivan | Ethiopian Airlines | | Beharu | Yared | Ethiopian Airlines | | Serrano | Gonzalo | Euskadi-Murias | | Quevedo | Xavier | Euskadi-Murias | | Scheit | Florian | Euskadi-Murias | | Garcia Pierna | Raul | Euskadi-Murias | | Umba | Santiago | Euskadi-Murias | | Tercero | Fernando | Euskadi-Murias | | Acosta | Ruben | Euskadi-Murias | | Stensby | Anton | Euskadi-Murias | | Lafay | Victor | Euskotren - Pays Basque | | Rodriguez | Cristian | Euskotren - Pays Basque | | Pacher | Quentin | Euskotren - Pays Basque | | Doubey | Fabien | Euskotren - Pays Basque | | Wackermann | Luca | Euskotren - Pays Basque | | Weinstein | Domenic | Euskotren - Pays Basque | | Cabanas | Oscar | Euskotren - Pays Basque | | Donaldson | Robert | Euskotren - Pays Basque | | Jensen | Kristian Haugaard | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | | Bernard | Julien | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | | Tratnik | Jan | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | | Hagen | Carl Fredrik | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | | Ulysbayev | Dinmukhammed | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | | Theorpanous | Stavros | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | | Klahan | Noppachai | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | | Sillankorva | Jaakko | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | | Eiking | Odd Christian | Hilcona Racing Team | | Morin | Emmanuel | Hilcona Racing Team | | Carr | Simon | Hilcona Racing Team | | Johanson | Kristjan | Hilcona Racing Team | | Artz | Huub | Hilcona Racing Team | | Martinelli | Alessio | Hilcona Racing Team | | Arrieta | Igor | Hilcona Racing Team | | Blythe | Adam | Hilcona Racing Team | | Hofstede | Lennard | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Helme | Sasu | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Cherkasov | Nicolay | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Dahl Olsen | Gunnar | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Kretschy | Moritz | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | McLay | Dan | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Teutenberg | Tim Torn | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Uhlig | Henri | Kraftwerk Man Machine | | Lopez | Juan Pedro | Newton Foundation p/b Zwift | | Debesay | Yacob | Newton Foundation p/b Zwift | | Van Garderen | Tejay | Newton Foundation p/b Zwift | | Abreu | Jorge | Newton Foundation p/b Zwift | | Domgjoni | Ivo | Newton Foundation p/b Zwift | | Fretin | Milan | Newton Foundation p/b Zwift | | Ivanov | Viacheslav | Newton Foundation p/b Zwift | | Nikiema | Bachirou | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | | Smit | Willie | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | | Aru | Fabio | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | | De Comarmond | Aurelien | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | | Granigan | Noah | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | | Iradukunda | Emmanuel | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | | Mundle | Benedikt | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | | Barbari | Adel | Simba Cement - Tanga Fresh | | Beltran | Eduard Alexander | Spark Team NZ | | Yates | Joel | Spark Team NZ | | Svab | Jernej | Spark Team NZ | | Duchesne | Antoine | Spark Team NZ | | Diaz Suarez | Andy Alihonay | Spark Team NZ | | Karatsivis | Panagiotis | Spark Team NZ | | Huera | Richard | Spark Team NZ | | Yarrell | Guy | Spark Team NZ | | Guerreiro | Ruben | Team Würth MODYF | | Lehtinen | Sakari | Team Würth MODYF | | Zepuntke | Ruben | Team Würth MODYF | | Van Bekkum | Darren | Team Würth MODYF | | Andersen | Kasper | Team Würth MODYF | | Willwohl | Willi | Team Würth MODYF | | Reinhardt | Theo | Team Würth MODYF | | Theiler | Ole | Team Würth MODYF | | Govekar | Matevz | Trans Looney Tunes | | Pibernik | Luka | Trans Looney Tunes | | Moulingui | Clenne Morvan | Trans Looney Tunes | | Centrone | Ivan | Trans Looney Tunes | | Glivar | Gal | Trans Looney Tunes | | Lecourt De Billot | Olivier | Trans Looney Tunes | | Kunkumpai | Kantaphon | Trans Looney Tunes | | Peng | Yuan Tan | Trans Looney Tunes | | Sirironnachai | Sarawut | Zain - Omantel | | Schachmann | Maximillian | Zain - Omantel | | Borisavljevic | Milos | Zain - Omantel | | La Lavandier | Mathieu | Zain - Omantel | | La Lavandier | Maxime | Zain - Omantel | | Al-Wahibi | Mohammed | Zain - Omantel | | Buratti | Nicolo | Zain - Omantel | | Bremanis | Ansis | Zain - Omantel |
Edited by ivaneurope on 30-05-2025 18:06
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 30-05-2025 16:40
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Classics Specialist

Posts: 3124
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Disclaimer - these results are provisional and aren't official
With Newton Foundation p/b Zwift having the title in the bag and most of the promotion spots sealed, the battle is for the last 3 promotion spots. As mentioned in the Giro dell'Emilia preview follow-up, Both ISA - Hexacta and Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska will be denied licenses for long periods of inactivity. This means that two PCT spots opened up for CT teams and there are 4 teams currently fighting over them.
| 5 | Duvel-Tsingtao | 1223 | | 6 | Genii Hyundai N Cycling | 1187 | | 7 | Team Würth MODYF | 1185 | | 8 | Spark Team NZ | 1114 |
Currently, Duvel-Tsingtao have the upper hand, but they have the weakest leading rider of the four teams in Lyu and their next best rider is Quinten Hermans. Genii has KHJ, who finished 7th last year, but his moral will be shaken following a disasterclass in Tour of Britain where he ended with nothing. The team also has Julien Bernard - a rider who is not shy to go toe to toe with the top specialists. Team Würth MODYF have sent Ruben Guerreiro as their best hill specialist, but also have Theo Reinhardt and Willi Willwohl in case the race ends in a sprint. Spark have sent by far the heavy artillery with Beltran and J. Yates, but also Jernej Svab and Antoine Duchesne. Their battle is on life and death as they are in the undesirable spot right now, 73 points behind Genii. But why we count the gape to the 6th and not the 7th placed team?
OK, hear me out - Team Würth MODYF is currently in 7th, but may rise up to 5th if they manage to get a good haul in Giro dell'Emilia, which is a race none of their promotion rivals will compete in as there was only one slot availlable (only DK Zalgirs have spent all of their RD beforehand). This means that Spark's main rival right now is Genii and not Würth. But there could be another lifeline for the 8th placed team. Currently two teams are confirmed to be denied license for next year and potentially there could be another PCT spot opening up. It all depends on what the situation with Manada Coyote will be - they're currently 19th (in the safe zone), but JEWA TIROL are breathing down their necks. But even if they remain in the safety zone, their radio silence has caused the MGUCI to be concerned with their continuation next year. And this is where the CT team in 8th comes into play - if Manada drops to 20th, it means any chances for promotion will be over as Manada will be relagated anyway.
But the only way to find out who will celebrate and who will left empty-handed is to follow the results from the Grand Finale Triple. Alexa, play The Final Countdown
Edited by ivaneurope on 30-05-2025 17:36
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 30-05-2025 18:59
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Classics Specialist

Posts: 3484
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Great Preview Ivan,
Hoping for another good Moscon race he's really come alive the back end of the year but the finish just doesn't suit him at all he's much better on the short uphill punches so i suspect he will make the final group but be far back in the sprint |
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| Caspi |
Posted on 30-05-2025 19:42
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Domestique

Posts: 705
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Besides Wackermann this could be a good race for someone like our own Nikiema or a cheeky Vendrame, if he isn't bound as domestique for Bystrom.
Korosec would be my favorite if he was present but looks like he's done for the season.
Thanks for the preview!
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 31-05-2025 09:16
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The big hills team is there to bring Wackermann to the line and make it three. Win goal and the chance to keep the top 10, we have to do this.
Thanks for the preview, good luck everyone
“...the secret of the Great Stories is that they have no secrets. The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again. The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably."
A. Roy
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 01-06-2025 02:32
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Grand Tour Champion

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Hoping for a big race. I mean we need to do a lot to move up positions but it’s doable. If not it looks like we might miss out by 1 position which will be a real shame and affect the development of riders but it is what it is.
Good luck everyone and I’m looking forward to a big finale to the season
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 05-12-2025 13:17
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| Booker |
Posted on 01-06-2025 11:18
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It all comes down to this. Thanks for the excellent preview Ivan, and good luck to all (except the promotion contenders)
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 01-06-2025 11:45
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Feels like the season flew by in the end. Hoping Bystrom can force a decisive move, or Vendrame can go for the sprint from a reduced group. Doubt we'll manage to actually pull this tactic off but let's hope for the best.
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 01-06-2025 17:43
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The ever reliable Bernard once again showed up when it mattered most. And we only missed out on our Team Standings goal by 2 places - neat 
We also have news from Emilia-Romagna and unfortunately it is a heartbreak for our fellow promotion challengers over at Spark Team NZ - JEWA TIROL have managed to overtake Manada Coyote in the standings, meaning that the Austrian team takes the last safety place in the PCT team standings. Spark had theoretical to promote had Manada finished 19th + their uncertain future, but now if Manada were to disband wouldn't matter, because they would be relagated anyway. This was simply not Spark's day - Beltran was in the lower end of the ranking places (the same applies to KHJ for my team, which is why I'm glad Bernard stepped up again) and all of their promotion chances evaporated via external factors. At least they can rebound next season.
Thanks to KB for the report and to UU for providing us with the Grand Finale Triple coverage. Congrats to Euskadi-Murias for the win too.
Edited by ivaneurope on 01-06-2025 17:57
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 01-06-2025 17:59
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Very happy with that ride from Moscon knowing now that this would not suit him at all 8th is a good result. as per usual this season we are around the front end but unable to bring a really good result home with us but onto next season. |
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| Booker |
Posted on 01-06-2025 19:46
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Lyu, I love you 
Nearly for Guerreiro to make it very very interesting, but thank you Serrano 
Thanks for the excellent reports UU and thanks Ivan again for the stats breakdown, now I won't need to wait with terror for the final rankings. 2/5 team goals secured, not terrible but it'll be a challenge building a PCT-ready roster with that budget.
Anyway, thanks to all the reporters/previewers/fellow managers this season, it's been a very fun one, and thankfully rather successful!
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| Caspi |
Posted on 01-06-2025 20:32
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Domestique

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Not a memorable race for us with Nikiema outside the top-10. Good to see him on the attack early in the race, however.
Thanks for a good season everyone - looking forward to the last ranking update!
And thanks for the report KB
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 02-06-2025 00:35
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Glad Bystrom made the decisive move, not sure how he fucked the sprint up so badly, but in the end a fine result. Congrats to Duvel on their automatic promotion, really putting the rest of us returners to shame. Hope the famous Belgian beer will be flowing freely at their team bus tonight
I also have to say I'll miss competing against Zain-Omantel, the strong regional focus as well as Carapaz constant activity made for a fun opponent
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 02-06-2025 02:10
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Grand Tour Champion

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Did nothing that’s sad for us and looking at PCT rankings looks like we are in the CT for another year.
Back to the drawing board. Congrats everyone on their results! Thanks for another great report!
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| Ezeefreak |
Posted on 02-06-2025 08:25
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Domestique

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ANother great race of Guerreiro. I cant think of an race this year where he dissapointed, he always did what he was able too and sometimes even beyond that. We can live with him being overtaken meters before the finish, the result is still great and so was his season.
Thanks for the report and congrats to Serrano and his team.
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| Booker |
Posted on 02-06-2025 08:56
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Dippofix wrote:
Congrats to Duvel on their automatic promotion, really putting the rest of us returners to shame. Hope the famous Belgian beer will be flowing freely at their team bus tonight
Cheers Dippo! The sporting director is already up to start planning for media appearances, but the rest of the squad is down for the count this morning. The Duvel/Tsingtao punch mix was not the tastiest, but everyone felt an obligation to finish it. Karaoke was not on the cards, but the open air bus parade is scheduled for today so party sunglasses have been sourced for the team, to hide the red eyes
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 02-06-2025 09:24
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Wait, it's an error, it's the wrong Basque team who won!
Ah, I thought we could have that when Pacher joined the chase, and I can't understand why we didn't chase indeed. Would have been nice to make the triplé, also for finances next season, but still a great result for Wackermann.
Thanks for the report KB, and for all those in the season, congrats Euskadi
“...the secret of the Great Stories is that they have no secrets. The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again. The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably."
A. Roy
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