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English Cff Forum => NT Teams => Topic started by: Vos on April 23, 2022, 01:47:00 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/VPw1qZw.jpg)
A new NT season starts ! :)
No NT candidates Down Under, so the Australian champion is automatically the new NT manager, and I guess that is me.
The season schedule is not good due to the 2 flat-cobble races, what is the worst speciality of Australia and 2x zero points is possible.
What makes it very doubtfull if 7 times in a row world champion can be achievable ( probably not ).
And no chance at all to compete for the individual world championship, because that title will go to a flat-cobble specialist.
The most positive of this season schedule is that the Australian sprinters have "home advantage" in NT race 3.
season 24 schedule =
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/francia.jpg) Sallanches HHHHH 148km
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/francia.jpg) Provence MMMMM 177km
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Adelaide FFFFF 51km
4. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Breda TT-FFFFF 36km
5. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/belgica.jpg) Harelbeke FCHC^C^ 200km
6. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/francia.jpg) Paris-Roubaix FCFCC 259km
7. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Richmond CCCCC 259km
(https://i.imgur.com/iD3u4s5.png)
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RACE 1 : Sallanches
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/sallanches.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/m9cC3rl.jpg?1)
18ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento2.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/lluvia.jpg)
Sallanches, France, near the Swiss- and Italian border,
The 9 best Australian hills-specialists are selected, so, it will be full power in this first race of the season.
An important race, because this season there are just 5 suited races where enough points are possible ( if the tactics go right ).
In the TT no tactics, so we need 4 races with excellent tactics, maybe then Australia can still compete for the word championship.
The Aussies are motivated and ready to ride this rainy and windy race. Hopefully James Bush can achieve a top result.
Australia NT selection :
James Bush ( 28 ) Antequera
Paddy Friend ( 27 ) $Tourmalet
Fergus Emerton ( 31 ) Flyvende_hjul
Rob Mitchell ( 26 ) Villavante
Nate Gailes ( 28 ) Elgrand
Callum Carpenter* ( 24 ) Rekutxuteam
Danny Gill ( 28 ) ICSluj
Christian Segond* ( 31 ) Speedbird
Michael Odom ( 30 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
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I gambled on a hard race with an influence of the wind, where I expected that there would be decent big time gaps.
Apparently the wrong gamble, because the time gaps were very small till s4. It was decisive in s5 and many rivals had more energy left.
What resulted in zero points for the free roles ( although they had each a different tactic ), and a dissapointing 13º place for James Bush.
Next week the helpers will be important water carriers, because then it is a climb race in the French Alps with 39ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Remarkable ;
The 23yo Sean Chapman disappeared out of this game, he was worth millions, and one of the very few good Australian hills talents.
He even was a few times selected for the NT to gain extra xp.
What in retrospective was a waste of an honorable ánd valuable place in the NT selection.
Of course this has consequences in my selection policy if that team has again young promising Australian talents.
Note ;
Not many Australians in the u23 Dream Team, luckily we have Aurora_Australis. 8)
CFF u23 Dream Team =
TT
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Maurice Hunter ( 22, Aurora_Australis )
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Andy Nixon ( 22, Aurora_Australis )
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Pat Foley ( 22, Aurora_Australis )
hills
8. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Derek Jons ( 22, RHyNeStOnEs )
climb
8. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Ken Holland ( 21, Mustangs )
Note ;
Ken Holland is the only 21yo of all countries who is in the u23 CFF Dream Team.
He is ranked as flat-climb specialist for FFFFM races without downhill.
Australia u24 ( 110 cyclists ) :
(https://i.imgur.com/Tjg7Vmo.png)
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RACE 2 : La Madone d'Utelle
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/utelle.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/DsCQCSo.jpeg)
39ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
Nice, southern France,
The final climb to the peak of La Madone d'Utelle ( see picture ) is in theory not that hard ; 15,3 km with an average of 5,7%
But this mountain race will be brutal ;
starting at sea level and finishing on 1.165 meters, with a total of 7 climbs, and extreme heath of 39ºC.
The teamcaptain will be Mitchum. Although it is great to see that the just 24yo Vaughn is just as good as Mitchum.
Both are very high ranked in the CFF pure climb ranking ; nr 6 + nr 10.
So, the goal should be to get a top result in NT race 2.
But tactics matter a lot in the result(s), and even besides this, NT races are always erratic, unpredictable, and often surprising.
Hopefully the race goes very well for Australia, because every point is needed in this season with an unfavorable, bad schedule.
Australia NT selection :
Garret Mitchum ( 25 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Stu Vaughn ( 24 ) JGMTeam
Barry Carpenter ( 26 ) LottoGranadier
Garret Woods ( 26 ) QuintoYtapa
Henry Footman ( 28 ) BLOEMENAANDEMITTE
Barret Ryan* ( 27 ) RajenKujen
Des Brown ( 28 ) JackyTeam
Tyler Edgar ( 27 ) BLOEMENAANDEMITTE
Rick Cann ( 21 ) Teamclaes ( debut )
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Hmmm, I'm not so satisfied about how this race went. Although it was not bad, and perhaps I should be satisfied with the results :
6º Garret Mitchum ( 25, Manicomicos_Cycling_Team )
15º Stu Vaughn ( 24, JGMTeam )
Australia moved up to the 6º place, and now 265 points behind leader Ukraine. :-*
Next week a sprint race in Australia. :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
There are not enough 19yo's yet to make an u20 list. At the moment just 10x 19yo's what is a low number after one week.
Hopefully tomorrow there are enough 19yo's. Good luck everyone with recruiting and scouting in Australia ! 8)
Australia u22 ( 71 cyclists = 10x 19yo, 24x 20yo, 37x 21yo ) :
(https://i.imgur.com/QaMsJiF.png)
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u20 ( 19 cyclists )
(https://i.imgur.com/PUJzeZ0.png)
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u21 ( 41 cyclists = 16x 19yo's and 25x 20yo's )
(https://i.imgur.com/U1KBPmS.png)
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RACE 3 : Adelaide
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/adelaide.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/pBHJBnO.jpeg)
31ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
Adelaide, Australia,
At the moment there are 8 Australian sprinters who have a golden icon on flat-sprint, and they are all selected.
Including 3x 24yo's of Sacido, and good old Jasper"the Bullet"Blair in his last NT race.
This selection has been supplemented with a young TT toptalent for extra xp, who makes his debut.
Australia has 2 high ranked flat-sprinters with Jasper Caan and Horace Stamer.
Normally with real top cyclists, there is an expectation of scoring a lot of points.
But in a NT sprint race everything is possible, incl. a tactical failure and zero points.
Hopefull are the excellent past results of the now 27yo teamcaptain Caan ;
24yo = 5º ( s21 ), 25yo = 3º ( s22 ), 26yo = 4º and 3º ( s23 ).
Australia NT selection :
Jasper Caan ( 27 ) SaulSalinasTeam
Horace Stamer* ( 24 ) Sacido
Ian Hamsten ( 31 ) Pantani28
Leroy Ablett ( 31 ) ChronoTony
Adrian Janson ( 24 ) Sacido
Jasper Blair ( 34 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Rob Blixter ( 24 ) Sacido
Reggie Milne ( 28 ) GMV_Cycling
Sammy Alfier ( 21 ) Aurora_Australis ( debut )
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Jasper got 4th race 3, 3rd race 6 last season (S23)
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Ok, thanks for the correction, I mixed up s22 and s23.
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VICTORY ! ! ! 8)
1º Jasper Caan ( 27, SaulSalinasTeam )
10º Horace Stamer ( 24, Sacido ) --> in a free role and very unlucky ; mechanical breakdown in the decisive s5.
Magnificient race and Jasper Caan had excellent support with way too many s4 helpers, well, beter too many than none. :)
Australia moved up to the 2º place in the season ranking, now just 90 points behind Ukraine that remained the leader.
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VICTORY ! ! ! 8)
1º Jasper Caan ( 27, SaulSalinasTeam )
10º Horace Stamer ( 24, Sacido ) --> in a free role and very unlucky ; mechanical breakdown in the decisive s5.
Magnificient race and Jasper Caan had excellent support with way too many s4 helpers, well, beter too many than none. :)
Congrats!
It was a strange albeit interesting race for Team (https://cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg), where we saw our captain, Crichton, dropped in S2 :'( but then had two silver sprinter helpers end up in the top 20. 8)
As I usually do, I've saved the tactics and results for future reference, but, as we all have figured out, tactics used in the past may not lead to the same results in future sprint races. I'll save them anyway, just in case...
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Thanks :)
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Great result, particularly with old Australia (Netherlands) being almost 400 points behind us.
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Great victory Vos! It was a dramatic race for us with no points at all :(
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Thanks :)
And yes, I noticed the dramatic race of the Netherlands.
They dominated the NT sprint races the past 3 seasons with 4 victories of Jacco VanSwieten.
It can happen, B.E-L, unfortunately I have also experience in such dramatic sprint races,
once I even finished outside the top 100 ( ! ) with an Australian sprint-teamcaptain who should have been good enough to finish top 5.
In fact, there was a period that all different Australian NT managers had tactical unfortunate sprint races with bad results,
including AA and me, although we both are doing great in the NT sprint races of the past recent seasons.
But next season it could go horribly wrong, you never know in NT sprint races, that are always capricious, unexpected and surprising.
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... you never know in NT sprint races, that are always capricious, unexpected and surprising.
No doubt, as evidenced by the results of the most recent sprint race which, for Team USA, netted
13. Ryan Duncan (https://cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sprintplata.jpg)
16. Bruce Saucedo (https://cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sprintplata.jpg)
Only 2 EPs left to spend in S5 for each of these helpers. SMH.
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Suddenly many 19yo's extra, because there is a new Australian team that started 3 days ago.
Benvenuto / Welcome to Australia, AldebaranTauri. :)
Australia u20 ( 29 cyclists )
(https://i.imgur.com/xDVJfr8.png)
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RACE 4 : TT - Breda
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/bredatt.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/vPJwR4Q.jpg?1)
9ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/nieve.jpg)
Breda, the Netherlands,
In previous season the Australian TT specialists did amazing in a flat time trial in Genève of also exactly 36 km.
Back then hot and storm, and now cold. Also a difference is that the Aussies are 1 year older, and considering the age ;
if this selection comes close to the 1.100 points of previous season ( where all 9 scored points ), I will be very satisfied.
Maybe a more realistic outcome is that "only" 5 or 6 Australians score points, and the total points could be much less than last season.
Because the foreign TT competition is getting stronger every season. And at the moment no Australian in the top 3 flat TT ranking.
But you never know in a NT time trial, luck is also a big factor.
Australia NT selection :
Nobby Licuria ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Tod Henderson ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Kirk Clinton ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Bud Mount ( 32 ) ChronoTony
Christian Pocock* ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Walt Judd ( 32 ) TeamEuroscalt
Jonny Alfier ( 27 ) Aurora_Australis
Billy Janson* ( 26 ) Aurora_Australis
Markus Benett ( 31 ) QuintoYtapa
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2 Kirk Clinton 31 0: 01" 250 Aurora_Australis
6 Tod Henderson 31 0: 03" 160 Aurora_Australis
7 Christian Pocock 31 0: 05" 150 Aurora_Australis
8 Bud Mount 32 0: 05" 140 ChronoTony
9 Nobby Licuria 31 0: 06" 130 Aurora_Australis
13 Billy Janson 26 0: 09" 90 Aurora_Australis
16 Walt Judd 32 0: 10" 60 TeamEuroscalt
20 Jonny Alfier 27 0: 11" 10 Aurora_Australis
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23 Markus Benett 31 0: 15" 0 QuintoYtapa
Again no victory but a 2nd place, just like in the past 4 seasons.
But I'm very satisfied due to the excellent results of the Australian TT specialists and a great total of 990 points. 8)
Remarkable, only 6 countries scored points in this time trial :
AUS = 990, GER = 715, POR = 570, USA = 100, NL = 70, NOO = 20.
Australia takes the lead in the season ranking ! 8)
TOP 6 after 4 races =
1º (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 1.730
2º (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/alemania.jpg) 1.145
3º (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) 830
4º (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/portugal.jpg) 700
5º (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/hungria.jpg) 610
6º (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) 590
Very positive :) = the countries that can be excellent in the final 2 flat-cobble races ( NL, GB, ITA, BEL ) are far behind at the moment.
But the current nrs 2 and 3 might be rivals too ; GER has the nr 6 on flat-cobble, and UKR has the nr 9 on flat-cobble.
Too soon to tell who the rivals will be, because first the cobblehills race in Harelbeke, after that it will be more clear.
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u20 ( 29 cyclists )
(https://i.imgur.com/hRZbHKZ.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/hy9oyUq.jpg)
"I love Australian talents" :-*
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RACE 5 : Harelbeke
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/harelbeke.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/7HvKsqk.jpeg)
10ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/nieve.jpg)
Harelbeke, Belgium,
This is a decisive race, because Australia is not good in the final 2 brutal flat-cobble races ( Roubaix & Richmond ).
So, it has to happen here in Harelbeke, with hopefully many points as result(s).
Australia NT selection :
Nick Thompson ( 30 ) TeaMetal
Mannie Hines ( 28 ) Villavante
Dylan Lucas* ( 29 ) JGMTeam
Marc Huling ( 31 ) Turrones
Brooklyn Abolins ( 30 ) Spitz
Marc Ashley ( 31 ) TeaMetal
Bob Janson ( 30 ) LottoStelvio
Neil Spiker ( 28 ) CaptainOrange
Noel Marbley ( 28 ) Wiggo_pupils ( debut )
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4º Nick Thompson ( 30, TeaMetal ) 0:07"
11º Dylan Lucas ( 29, JGMTeam ) 0:17"
Very good results.
Australia scored even the most points in this NT race 5. 8)
TOP 4 season ranking after 5 races =
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 2.040
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/alemania.jpg) 1.225
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) 1.120
4. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/portugal.jpg) 790
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Two seasons ago, Germany had their then 25yo win, and Ukraine had their then 23yo score highly, so they do remain potential threats. The pre-season favourites Old Australia (Netherlands) appear to be dead in the water this season.
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Two seasons ago, Germany had their then 25yo win, and Ukraine had their then 23yo score highly, so they do remain potential threats. The pre-season favourites Old Australia (Netherlands) appear to be dead in the water this season.
If we had these races 2 seasons ago this would be true, but our star cobblers that could gain 700 points in one race are old and about to retire. I think we should be happy if we could score 700 points in 2 races now.
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RACE 6 : Roubaix
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/roubaix.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/gPZFhjT.jpeg)
36ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/lluvia.jpg)
Compiègne, France,
Dave Taylor did not score points in the NT flat-cobble race of previous season.
But this season he was the very surprising nr 4 on 0:08" in Paris-Roubaix of division 1A.
That is a hopeful result, despite he is just the nr 23 in the golden flat-cobble ranking.
Australia has just one other ( low ranked ) golden flat-cobble cyclist. He and 2 silver cyclists are selected to help Dave Taylor.
The remaining 5 places are for xp-cyclists. Including Jasper Caan, as reward for his sprint victory this season.
No debutants in this selection, but maybe the case in the next final NT race where probably different/other xp-cyclists will be selected.
Australia NT selection :
Dave Taylor ( 30 ) Bikeos
Donald Odom ( 30 ) CajaRuralZamora
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Clyde Mayne ( 30 ) Galletto
Keith Hunter ( 34 ) CC_Porco_Jones
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Bob Pernom ( 20 ) PDM_cycling_team
Alex Ablett ( 23 ) Red_Light_Skippers
Andrew Morse ( 20 ) Plopsala
Jasper Caan ( 27 ) SaulSalinasTeam
Maurice Hunter ( 22 ) Aurora_Australis
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17º Dave Taylor ( 30, Bikeos ) 0: 07"
Excellent helper's job of Odom who was still with his teamcaptain in s4.
Australia scored 40 points in this race where rival Germany scored just 180 points.
Spain ( 445 ) and Denmark ( 300 ) scored the most points,
but these 2 countries were far behind before this NT race 6, and even after this race still far behind.
If the points will be divided in NT race 7, about the same as in this NT race 6, Australia will be the world champion with a very big gap.
Maybe in theory only current nr 2 Germany is still a rival, but the difference with Australia is 675 points. That should be more than enough.
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RACE 7 : Richmond
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/ritch.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/konnDZ0.jpeg)
29ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/solnubes.jpg)
Richmond, Virginia, USA,
Again it is up to Dave Taylor to try to score a few points.
Hopefully Odom does an excellent helper's job, like he did in the previous race, because I selected only him as helper.
The remaining 7 places are all for promising young talents to gain extra xp, ánd to encourage their managers to train them very well. 8)
Australia NT selection :
Dave Taylor ( 30 ) Bikeos
Donald Odom ( 30 ) CajaRuralZamora
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Maurice Hunter ( 22 ) Aurora_Australis
Andrew Morse ( 20 ) Plopsala
Rick Cann ( 21 ) Teamclaes
Bob Pernom ( 20 ) PDM_cycling_team
Derek Jons ( 22 ) RHyNeStOnEs
Sammy Alfier ( 21 ) Aurora_Australis
Andy Nixon ( 22 ) Aurora_Australis ( debut )
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NT race 7 ;
8º Dave Taylor ( 30, Bikeos )
Excellent result ! :)
FINAL PODIUM, season 24 =
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 2.220 8)
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/alemania.jpg) 1.585
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) 1.260
(https://i.imgur.com/o4Zu8VM.gif)
For the 7th time in a row ;
Australia = world champion !
Thanks to all CFF managers with Australian top cyclists ! 8)