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AUSTRALIAN NT - Season 19
(https://scontent.fbne3-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.18169-9/315943_2026151058795_1685666813_n.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=QZaPlSMqwfEAX-ANU7L&_nc_ht=scontent.fbne3-1.fna&oh=481b998bf8c792699cec8183cf499aad&oe=61466200)
A normal road near where I live : Queensland - Australia
Welcome to season 19. After yet another NT championship-winning result by Vos (Sportlife), you have to put up with my efforts. Besides having me instead of Vos, there are also several differences in the schedule that's not exactly to our best suit (ie no flat in the hills race), however we do have the bonus of some key cyclists being a season more mature so it works out. The Brits still have their star NT manager in charge, so retaining the NT title will be the goal to beat them again.
Current Australian cyclist rankings below.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51393571847_c31711e305_h.jpg)
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Race 1 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento1.jpg)
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/lisboa.jpg)
Selections :
Dudley Judd Manicomicos_Cycling_Team 31
Martin Hunter Manicomicos_Cycling_Team 31
Gerard Shields Quickstepbronx 30 (captain)
Zack Walkins azerite 30
Herbie Fredickson Spitz 29 (free role)
Fergus Emerton Artxube 26
Norm Ryan Artxube 26
Michael Odom Manicomicos_Cycling_Team 25
James Bush Antequera 23
Note: a number of gold 26-27-year-olds should have been here, except with them having between 3-7 total experience they've killed their potential, and so the team isn't as strong as it should be.
23yo James Bush isn't that far behind, so he's got a selection as a semi-helper.
Results:
8th Gerard Shields 30 0: 02" 140 points
In reality a mini-fail.
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Hey! the result was not so bad for not posting it here!! hahaha a pure hills race is always complicated, 8th position is not sooo good, but not bad!!
We trust on you Aurora!!
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It was poor Franky, the only correct tactics was the team leader had support all of the way through. Anyway, before a preview of the next race, which isn't going to be as generous to us, here's the main u24 cyclists of note.
As usual, TT is covered well, and not only by me. Cobblers is the worst category, and sprinter stocks being 22yo Cann (& maybe a 19yo). There aren't many 19-year-olds yet (9), but most of them are on this list.
U24 Cyclists
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51405965278_8bcd8d2470_b.jpg)
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Race 2
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/zoldoalto.jpg)
Selections :
Colin Mount Teka 32
Keith Hamsten Manicomicos_Cycling_Team 32
Ryan Henderson TeamMajer 32
Jason Furey CajaRuralZamora 30 (free role?)
Dudley Iverson Manicomicos_Cycling_Team 28
Norm Bush HTCHungria 27 (leader)
Martin Wilson WinterIsComing 24
Two more to be selected, possibly including a 22 yo climber
Still tactics are to seek a near top result.
Results:
10th Norm Bush 27 0: 44" 120 points
I guess I shouldn't be too disappointed given that my own climber who by my calculation has better stats than Bush didn't even make selection for Estonia, so they must be talented.
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Thanks for the great lists, Aurora Australis. Nice to see that the most promising young cyclists are highlighted too.
Good luck in the NT mountain race.
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Before we have to look at the selection of sprinters, let's look at the upcoming hopes in the u21 squad, which may help to guide some of us into promoting in certain areas yet to get a decent number of cyclists this season.
U21 Cyclists
see attachment
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Race 3 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento1.jpg) (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/albese.jpg)
Selections :
Ryan Pierre CC_Porco_Jones 32
Jasper Blair Manicomicos_Cycling_Team 29
Anthony Fletcher Quickstepbronx 26
Ian Hamsten lasposturas 26
Leroy Ablett lasposturas 26
Jasper Caan SaulSalinasTeam 22
Three more to be selected
Results:
4th Ryan Pierre 0: 00" 200 points
19th Ian Hamsten 0: 25" 20 points
Better than a kick in the teeth. We almost had it, our backup cyclists failed early in the race and kept going backwards, but at least Pierre was there to keep us healthy.
Next week should see us climb to third overall, with Great Britain to be the bookies' favourites for the title.
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As we prepare for our favourite race of the NT season, here are the current 19-year-olds. Weakest is cobbles, followed by hills. Sacido is building a good group of sprinters (unsure whether he's purchasing), and we have the best climber for the season in Embley.
U20 Cyclists
see attachment
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Thanks for the lists, AA. 8)
And a good amount of points in the NT sprint race, very well done !
Good luck with the time trial puzzle who to select as last ones, I know it is a difficult luxury puzzle with many candidates.
And of course good luck with Workman, the weather gods(2x) are in his favor. :)
Hopefully he can win this NT time trial after being 2nd and 3rd in the 2 previous NT seasons.
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Race 4 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento2.jpg) (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/nieve.jpg)
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/monza.jpg)
Selections :
Kirk Workman 31 Aurora_Australis **x
Bud Mount 27 ChronoTony
Christian Pocock 26 Aurora_Australis *
Nobby Licuria 26 Aurora_Australis
Tod Henderson 26 Aurora_Australis
Walt Judd 27 RealMurciaCycling
Kirk Clinton 26 Aurora_Australi
Peter Coleman 32 WorldCiclyng
Final spot either Jason Duffy or Steve Odom.
Four more to be selected
96.25 Walt Judd 27 RealMurciaCycling
96.21 Jason Duffy 27 Shiro_Lions
96.09 Kirk Clinton 26 Aurora_Australis xx
96.03 Steve Odom 31 Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
96.01 Dean Shields 32 Aurora_Australis x
95.79 Peter Coleman 32 WorldCiclyng *x
95.59 Julian Frances 29 Bergtoppers x
*weather bonus : x other weather
Results:
1st Kirk Workman 31 0: 00" 300 points
2nd Bud Mount 27 0: 01" 250 points
6th Nobby Licuria 26 0: 08" 160 points
7th Tod Henderson 26 0: 08" 150 points
11th Walt Judd 27 0: 13" 110 points
13th Jason Duffy 27 0: 14" 90 points
14th Kirk Clinton 26 0: 14" 80 points
17th Peter Coleman 32 0: 14" 40 points
19th Christian Pocock 26 0: 15" 20 points
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While we're here the u23 TTers have had a few bit of rearranging already since we saw them last.
# Score Name Age Team
1 86.65 Jonny Alfier 22 Aurora_Australis +0.84
2 86.30 Eric Armstrong 22 Aurora_Australis +0.82
3 82.72 Gilbert Johnston 21 catapunchimpon +1.39
4 82.69 Lenny Taylor 21 Aurora_Australis +2.22
5^ 81.30 Billy Janson 21 Aurora_Australis +1.93
6v 80.86 Bob Iverson 21 catapunchimpon +1.28
7^ 80.27 Kirk Judd 21 Perseverance +1.78
8V 79.49 Alex Trautemberg 21 Aurora_Australis +0.74
9 79.43 Eddy Hines 21 Aurora_Australis +1.44
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While we're here the u23 TTers have had a few bit of rearranging already since we saw them last.
# Score Name Age Team
1 86.65 Jonny Alfier 22 Aurora_Australis +0.84
2 86.30 Eric Armstrong 22 Aurora_Australis +0.82
3 82.72 Gilbert Johnston 21 catapunchimpon +1.39
4 82.69 Lenny Taylor 21 Aurora_Australis +2.22
5^ 81.30 Billy Janson 21 Aurora_Australis +1.93
6v 80.86 Bob Iverson 21 catapunchimpon +1.28
7^ 80.27 Kirk Judd 21 Perseverance +1.78
8V 79.49 Alex Trautemberg 21 Aurora_Australis +0.74
9 79.43 Eddy Hines 21 Aurora_Australis +1.44
Lenny Taylor, Bob Iverson, Randy Hooper, Stu Reid and Marcus Seaman, all of them 21yo TT from Manicomicos Academy now being developed in other teams ;D
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Lenny Taylor, Bob Iverson, Randy Hooper, Stu Reid and Marcus Seaman, all of them 21yo TT from Manicomicos Academy now being developed in other teams ;D
Well Lenny is now the top 21yo TTer in Australia.
83.12 Lenny Taylor 21 Aurora_Australis
82.97 Gilbert Johnston 21 catapunchimpon
Anyway, one more TTer to be selected.
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Great victory of Workman, and great points-scoring results of all 9 Australian cyclists. 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
A total of 1.200 points ! :o This could be the most race points ever achieved by a nation.
But I have no time now to search if this is the case, and I assume the ( old ? ) record was Australian already, also achieved in a flat time trial.
Australia makes an enormous jump in the ranking, and now 1st with a very big lead of 545 points towards nr 2 Great Britain. :)
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Yes, 1200 points is a new record, the previous highest was 1090. And the first time ever that all nine cyclists of any NT team finished in the top 20, and better yet, seven of those nine are aged 26-27.
Btw: the 1st & 2nd finish has been done before, in fact it was 1st, 2nd, & 3rd by Levin, Trump, Clickett.
Race 4 : 1200 Points (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento2.jpg) (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/nieve.jpg)
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/monza.jpg)
Results:
1st Kirk Workman 31 0: 00" 300 points
2nd Bud Mount 27 0: 01" 250 points
6th Nobby Licuria 26 0: 08" 160 points
7th Tod Henderson 26 0: 08" 150 points
11th Walt Judd 27 0: 13" 110 points
13th Jason Duffy 27 0: 14" 90 points
14th Kirk Clinton 26 0: 14" 80 points
17th Peter Coleman 32 0: 14" 40 points
19th Christian Pocock 26 0: 15" 20 points
From here we should be able to keep collecting points to retain the NT title.
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Race 5 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/nieve.jpg)
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/riem.jpg)
Selections :
Marc Huling 26 Turrones (leader * most likely)
Nick Thompson 25 TeaMetal
Dylan Lucas 24 Zatarra (leader?)
Six more to be selected, will be:
Marc Ashley 26 TeaMetal
Liam Trautemberg 26 TeaMetal
Brooklyn Abolins 25 Elgrand
Oliver Odom 25 Frier_Accounting
Bob Janson 25 IntellinetCyclingFF
Ali Haber 24 Zatarra
Unless there are one or two <24 selections.
Neil Spiker 23 ChessPower replaces Bob as ninth selection.
Results:
17th Nick Thompson 0: 19" 40 points
20th Dylan Lucas 0: 22" 10 points
23rd Marc Huling 0: 26" 0 points
Missed out on proper points with Hulings tactics failing, but we don't appear to have been severely punished for it, besides missing out on the chance to put the title beyond doubt.
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I think I'd better start pulling and training cobb-hillers again next season :)
There is still room for Nick T to grow, but I see the U21 prospects are not that bright
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Here's a final look at the U21 cyclists of note, and yes TeaMetal, I'd call the entire U23 cobble & cobb-hill generation a wash. 19yo Callum Carpenter appears to be saving this season's hillers from complete embarrassment, even if he isn't going to be one of the strongest in his team.
The good news is Sacido's 19yo sprinters are looking fine, our climbers are healthy, and we even have a few 20yo TTers to scare other NTs with, in a season where I'm not the one promoting/training them (that'll be seasons 21 & 22 - I need more money first).
U21 Cyclists
see attachment
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Before looking at the next race, here's a quick update on our hillers, noting the 23 year olds (PS some flat-hillers & <23 year olds may be missing from this list, a strict pure hills filter was used).
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Race 6 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/lluvia.jpg)
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/parenzo.jpg)
Selections :
Keith Hunter 29 RealMurciaCycling (leader)
Peter Boit 29 Combuijs
Dave Taylor 25 Bikeos
Vince Whisman 28 Luka_Warriors
Sean Jameson 29 Ciclastur
Donald Odom 25 CajaRuralZamora
Clyde Mayne 25 Galletto
Two more to be selected, likely to be non-cobble XP cyclists (likely two who haven't races NTs), unless 19yo cobbler Todd Cahill is selected.
Results:
3rd Keith Hunter 0: 03" 225 points
Fortunate to get 3rd, three teams in the top ten had their tactics correct, Hunter was the last of these. England's captain had 4 teammates at 0sec after the fourth section with him at 20secs, which means we've extended our lead in the championship.
Btw: A reminder that the NT manager's position is open to all of the great Aussie managers.
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Current <u23 cyclists without NT races under consideration for NT XP selections.
Barry Carpenter Age 21 Climb LottoGranadier
Garret Mitchum Age 20 Climb Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Eric Armstrong Age 22 TT Aurora_Australis
Lenny Taylor Age 21 TT Aurora_Australis
Billy Janson Age 21 TT Aurora_Australis
A couple of PDM_cycling_team 20yo TTers and several hillers are also under monitoring; note I generally wait until at least 20 years before monitoring cyclists for XP selection, unless in the same category as the race; also note others not on this list have already have NT races.
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Excellent 3rd place of Keith Hunter, well done AA ! 8)
Now he is still in the battle for the individual world championship. Good luck in NT race 7, AA !
Hopefully Keith Hunter crashes right after the finishline, and he is too injured to ride the CFF Cup final one hour later. :))
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Keith Hunter won't win the individual title, he was lucky to get 3rd last race, 4th to 10th all had failed tactics (either no teammates or 20sec behind after section 4 - England's captain was 20 secs behind with 3-4 teammates at 0sec - btw I'd expect Daniil Plitus to win race 7).
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Race 7 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento1.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/lluvia.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/ritch.jpg)
Selections :
Keith Hunter 29 RealMurciaCycling (leader)
Peter Boit 29 Combuijs
Dave Taylor 25 Bikeos
Vince Whisman 28 Luka_Warriors
Sean Jameson 29 Ciclastur (wiind)
Donald Odom 25 CajaRuralZamora
Clyde Mayne 25 Galletto
Two more to be selected, likely to be non-cobble XP cyclists (likely two who haven't raced NTs), unless 19yo cobbler Todd Cahill is selected.
Results:
4th Keith Hunter 0: 06" 200 points
It seems Keith put his efforts into the NT, because he finished in a higher position than the cyclist who defeated him in the CFF Cup final. So it's a night of CFF Cup to Vos, NT Championship to Australia.
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Possible 1st XP NT watchlist
* Sacido's 19yo sprinters
Todd Cahill 19yo cobbler
* Eric Armstrong 22yo TT
Billy Janson 21yo TT
PDM_cycling 20yo TT
Manicomicos 20yo climbers
Ian Emerton 20yo hiller
** Cody Embley 19yo climber
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(https://i.imgur.com/o4Zu8VM.gif)
Australia = World Champion !
Very well done and congratulations, Aurora Australis !
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Amazing... :o :o :o
I have to admit that I'm quite disconnected from the game... but I'll be back, with a great brood of climbers ;D
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Congratulations Aurora Australis for the second season in a row!
Congratulations Vos for the CFF Cup!
Fantastic season for aussies ;D ;D ;D
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Well done! Amazing job, AA !
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A lot of thanks have to go to the luck of TTers, which changes a nice top 5 result into a championship one.
Season 19 ResultsAustralia - 2155 Points
Position 1stTT 1200 points : Cobbles 425 points : Sprint 220 points : Hills 140 points : Climb 120 points : Cob/Hill 50 points
Most Points : Race 4 TT - 1200 points
Cyclists
425 Keith Hunter 29 RealMurciaCycling 1*3rd
300 Kirk Workman 31 Aurora_Australis 1*1st
250 Bud Mount 27 ChronoTony 1*2nd
200 Ryan Pierre 32 CC_Porco_Jones
160 Nobby Licuria 26 Aurora_Australis
150 Tod Henderson 26 Aurora_Australis
140 Gerard Shields 30 Quickstepbronx
120 Norm Bush 27 HTCHungria
110 Walt Judd 27 RealMurciaCycling
90 Jason Duffy 27 Shiro_Lions
80 Kirk Clinton 26 Aurora_Australis4
40 Peter Coleman 32 WorldCiclyng
40 Nick Thompson 25 TeaMetal
20 Christian Pocock 26 Aurora_Australis
20 Ian Hamsten 26 lasposturas
10 Dylan Lucas 24 Zatarra
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To all Australian managers: I will buy 2 or 3 top hill sprinters, and I would very much like them to be aussies. Last season I didn't have any luck with aussies cobble-hillers. I have a good amount of money to invest if they are good enough.
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On the lookout for 19 years old cobble-hillers. Must be Aussies. Budget is decent, but I will not spend fortunes :D
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I heard that! promoting sprint-hillers in 3, 2, 1...