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English Cff Forum => NT Teams => Topic started by: Vos on February 10, 2023, 01:21:57 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/VPw1qZw.jpg)
A new NT season starts ! :)
NT season 30 ; the "Downfall" of Australia.
According to me it is the end of an extreme successful era, because it seems unrealistic to expect another Australian WC title.
The current Australian quality level is not high enough and this NT season schedule is not favorable, mainly due to the hills-climb race.
It even could be possible that a podiumplace is not achievable this season.
But then again, if all Australian tactics go right, and if rival countries make big mistakes, and/or if the points are very divided ;
who knows what might be possible, perhaps there will be a world champion with a relative low amount of points.
Only then Australia has still a chance to battle for the WC title. But the ( already optimistic ) season goal = a podium place.
I added stars in the NT races, to show "my expectations" of that race.
The stars rating is from zero ( = too bad ) to max. five ( = excellent ) stars, and I added a "subjective explanation" text.
It could be that "my expectations" are way too positive or way too negative, we will see what happens.
But one thing is certain ; Australia really has to battle for a good result in the season ranking.
What that result will be in the end, I have no clue.
But I expect that this NT season will be the end of an extreme successful era, and that another nation will be the world champion.
season 30 schedule =
1. (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) Baar HHHHH 118 km
⭐
Australia does not have high ranked hills specialists,
but maybe the surprising new 1A world champion Derek Jons ( nr 42 in the ranking ) can get an unexpected good result.
2. (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/co.png) Duitama MMMMM 265 km
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In previous season the Australian teamcaptain finished as 7th on 0:31" in this exact same race.
This could ánd should be much better, and I expect that he can ride at least podium if the tactics go very well.
Australia is good in the mountains, and hopefully a few extra points of others, just like in previous season ( extra 130 points ).
Despite this, no 5-stars-rating, because at least one other nation will score more total points, and most likely a victory is not possible.
3. (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) Montreux FFFFF 131 km
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Australia has a top contender with excellent support, in previous season he finished as 2nd.
But no 5-stars-rating, because Australia was 3rd in the day-ranking of total points,
ánd because in a NT sprint race anything can happen, including a disaster race with zero points for a favorite.
4. (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Breda TT-FFFFF 36 km
⭐⭐⭐
Perhaps 3 stars is even too high as expectation, because I expect way less points as in previous season ( = 845 points ).
Hopefully the old TT specialists are still good enough to score a decent amount of points.
If not, we depend on the few below 30yo TT specialists, who finished mostly just outside the points in previous seasons.
5. (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/be.png) Vlaanderen FCHC^H 256 km
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thé new speciality of Australia ( instead of TT ), because we have a bunch of young and amazing cobblehills specialists.
Unfortunately there are a few foreign rivals who are ( much ) better, and therefore no 5-stars-rating.
But right now it's difficult what to expect, because RVV has a different race GV as the standard cobblehills GV.
It is certainly possible that Australia will be the best scoring nation in future NT cobblehills races, but most likely not yet this season.
6. (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ad.png) (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/es.png) Andorra MDHHM 187 km
⭐
There are just 4 Australians with a golden climbhills icon in the CFF-climb-ranking ( = nrs 103, 256, 302, 316 ).
The "best" one is not really suited for this specific race where a very high climb skill for sure makes a difference.
It could be 0 points, but still an optimistic one star because I like to think that top20 is possible due to good tactics & teamcaptain bonus.
7. (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/be.png) (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Breskens CFCCC 190 km
⭐⭐
Currently we have the nr 7 flat-cobble specialist of CFF, who finished 5th in the CFFCC race of previous season.
Hopefully he can achieve such a good result again.
Only a 2-stars-rating, because on flat-cobble, it is possible that some rival nations make a big points difference towards Australia.
(https://i.imgur.com/nIeo0j6.png)
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RACE 1 : SWISS HILLS
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/baar.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/jYRxAqJ.jpg?1)
3ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento1.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/nieve.jpg)
Baar, Switzerland,
This exact same race was also in s27 and s28, both times James Bush was the teamcaptain.
To my surprise he won ( as not-favorite ) in s27 at 31yo, and in s28 a very good 7th place at 32yo.
Now he is already 34yo, and maybe still good thanks to his active weather icon*.
But the teamcaptain role is for the new surprising 1A world champion, Derek Jons.
Hopefully the rainbow jersey gives him extra motivation, so he can get an unexpected good result despite his not high nr 42 ranking.
Australia NT selection :
Derek Jons ( 28 ) RHyNeStOnEs
James Bush* ( 34 ) Kelme4ever
Rob Mitchell* ( 32 ) Speedbird
Paddy Friend ( 33 ) KunTeam
Callum Carpenter ( 30 ) TeaMetal
Virgil Seaman ( 25 ) Álvaro_Pino_Boys
Andrew Morse ( 26 ) Plopsala
Emerson Brown* ( 24 ) Atlanterhavet
Rick Cann ( 27 ) Wizards
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Well, good luck!
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Thanks, I can for sure use some luck this NT season. :)
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8 Derek Jons 28 0: 11" 140 RHyNeStOnEs
15 James Bush 34 0: 26" 70 Kelme4ever
16 Rob Mitchell 32 0: 26" 60 Speedbird
Way more points as I expected. In fact, Australia ( 270 ) on a split 2nd place with the Netherlands ( 270 ) in the day ranking.
Only Latvia ( 300 ) scored more points because of the race victory.
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u24 ( 130 cyclists ) :
(https://i.imgur.com/jQaohCx.png)
CFF u23 Dream Team =
time trial
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Edward Garza ( 22, Teamclaes )
5. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Dean Butcher ( 22, Teamclaes )
sprint
4. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Pete Odom ( 22, Cabrasverdes )
10.(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Virgil Kelly ( 22, ChessPower )
cobble
6. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Alex Caan ( 22, Cabrasverdes )
Just 5 Aussies in the u23 DT, but at least one more as in the 2 previous seasons.
Everyone good luck with recruiting and scouting in Australia ! = 8)
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I notice that all of the now 27-28 year old TTers that I sold 3+ seasons ago have literally gone backwards despite their 4 & 5 talent ratings.
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u22 ( 79 cyclists ) :
(https://i.imgur.com/oIYRfQz.png)
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RACE 2 : COLOMBIAN CLIMBS
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/duitama.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/peH84Cz.jpg)
11ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/solnubes.jpg)
Duitama, Colombia ;
Today the last 2 are selected, and this is the exact same selection as on new year's day when this race was also on the NT calendar.
Back then teamcaptain Cann finished as 7th on 0:31" in a not good tactical, chaotic race.
Hopefully a much better result tomorrow, because he should be able to finish on the podium, if the tactics go very well.
Most likely Cann is not yet experienced enough to beat thé top favorite, Moser ( 31, ITA ), who won this race solo in previous season.
Australia NT selection :
Rick Cann ( 27 ) Atlanterhavet
Garret Mitchum ( 31 ) bikeandwine
Stu Vaughn ( 30 ) ProdopingPong
Barry Carpenter ( 32 ) Kelme4ever
Allan Sheehan ( 27 ) Stuttgarter
Garret Woods ( 32 ) FlyEaglesFly
Rick Pierre ( 27 ) Astanadena
Ken Holland ( 27 ) Milestone
Kenneth Glass ( 31 ) gsumar_team
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Here is another prospect for the future of Australia NT:
Sam Clickett Age : 19 Wage : 317
Stamina : 19 Sprint : 20 Climbing : 24
Flat : 22 Cobblestone : 12 Technique : 27
Downhill : 7 Hills : 15 Aggressiveness : 5
Time Trial : 50 Teamwork : 10 Experience : 0
Price : Days left : Stages raced : 0
I all honesty, I thought a pull like this was just theoretical...
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Are you sure about the age of Sam Clickett ? Perhaps you recruited a 18yo or even a 17yo. :))
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1 Rick Cann 27 0: 00" 300 Atlanterhavet
2 Amauri Moser 31 0: 06" 250 LottoGranadier
3 Veiko Luts 32 0: 09" 225 LottoGranadier
4 Victoriano Agudo 31 0: 27" 200 Innioraths
5 Gor Karatupov 30 0: 36" 180 PDM_cycling_team
- - - - - - - - - -
14 Garret Mitchum 31 1: 09" 80 bikeandwine
17 Barry Carpenter 32 1: 16" 40 Kelme4ever
18 Stu Vaughn 30 1: 18" 30 ProdopingPong
A tactical superb race ! 8)
All Australians were helpers of teamcaptain Cann.
s1 = Peleton of 56, incl. all 9 Australians. :)
s2 = Australian attack ! What resulted in a break away group of 16 where 50% ( = 8 ) was Australian. :)
s3 = Let's keep up the Australian high pace ! Now a first group of just 7, incl. 4 Australians. :)
s4 = Superb helper's job of Mitchum, only Australia has a teamcaptain-helper combo in the 1st group of just 5. :)
s5 = SOLO VICTORY ! 8) :)
Australia scored by far the most points ( = 450 ) in this brutal mountain race, and is now the new leader in the season ranking :
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 720
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/italia.jpg) 450
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) 410
4. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) 400
5. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/rusia.jpg) 335
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u20 ( 26 cyclists ) :
(https://i.imgur.com/FA3ICWp.png)
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RACE 3 : SWISS SPRINT
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/montreux.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/0eThKMN.jpeg)
26ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/solnubes.jpg)
Montreux, Switzerland,
All just 4 golden flat sprinters are selected, added with the best silver sprinter for extra support.
Hopefully again such a top result ( = 2nd ) as in previous season.
Although, you never know in NT sprint races what will happen, there is always a possibility that the race goes horribly wrong.
Due to a lack of Australian sprinters, there is a lot of space to select xp cyclists ;
Pernom ( flat-cobble teamcaptain ) and Odom ( flat-sprinter in the u23 DT ) are maybe good enough to help in one or a few sections.
The promising, very young Stapleton ( climb ) gets already his debut, and super-toptalent Sifford ( cobblehills ) makes his 2nd NT appearance.
Australia NT selection :
Horace Stamer ( 30 ) TeamEuroscalt
Jasper Caan ( 33 ) SaulSalinasTeam
Adrian Janson ( 30 ) LOSRAYOSDELARRY
Rob Blixter ( 30 ) RajenKujen
Luke Morse ( 30 ) FaustoScoppi
- - - - - - - - - -
Bob Pernom ( 26 ) TeamEuroscalt
Pete Odom ( 22 ) Cabrasverdes
- - - - - - - - - -
Shaun Sifford ( 21 ) Villavante
Seb Stapleton ( 19 ) Wizards ( debut )
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Three seasons ago this exact same sprint race in Montreux ( also without wind ) went horribly wrong in section 3,
where the Australian top favorite suddenly dropped, with as consequence zero points.
So, I decided to ride in "very conservative" tactics now, what seemed to be "way too safe" tactics in how this sprint race went this time.
Result =
9º Horace Stamer ( 30, TeamEuroscalt ) 0:00"
A dissapointing result due to the not strong 5 EP finish, and 8 countries scored more points ; 5 of them many more points.
But on the bright side :), these 130 points are enough to hold on to the lead in the season ranking :
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 850
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) 675
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) 550
4. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) 545
5. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/suiza.jpg) 500
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u20 ( 33 cyclists ) :
(https://i.imgur.com/Xou4CeZ.png)
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Terrell Clapton has reached gold in cobblestone hills 😀
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Terrell Clapton has reached gold in cobblestone hills 😀
Nice ! :)
Clapton is the 4th young 23yo cobblehills specialist who enters the golden cobble ranking on nr 215.
Two other foreign 23yo's are very close by on nrs 208 and 197, only the best foreign 23yo has a little bit of a gap on nr 165.
In previous season I gave Clapton his NT debut, because back then he was the nr1 in the u23 DreamTeam.
And because he will be an excellent cobblehills specialist ( if he trains very well this season, especially on his 2 lowest side skills ).
However, Clapton has fierce competition to get a NT selection in future races, because :
5. (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/be.png) Vlaanderen FCHC^H 256 km
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thé new speciality of Australia ( instead of TT ), because we have a bunch of young and amazing cobblehills specialists.
Unfortunately there are a few foreign rivals who are ( much ) better, and therefore no 5-stars-rating.
But right now it's difficult what to expect, because RVV has a different race GV as the standard cobblehills GV.
It is certainly possible that Australia will be the best scoring nation in future NT cobblehills races, but most likely not yet this season.
In the current golden cobble ranking there are 17 Australian cobblehills specialist ( incl. Clapton ).
Among them 5 high ranked Australians, and I'm in doubt if Clapton will be better than the nr 5.
If the current ( also excellent ) Australians were all the competition, then probably no problem that Clapton gets future NT selections.
But . . . . .
Australia has some younger cobblehills specialists with amazing potential.
Especially in the team of Villavante ; 3x 21yo's,
incl. supertoptalent Sifford who in my estimation will be better than the current top ranked Ronnald and Morse.
His two 21yo teammates have also great potential ; with perfect training they will be even much better as the excellent Clapton.
But perfect training might be an issue because Sifford decides the training schedule, so, both might become less good as I estimate.
Although, despite not perfect training, maybe one or both will still be more than excellent and also a very high top ranking.
Further more, but i.m.o. of less quality as the Villavante talents ;
I see two 22yo's with very good potential ( incl. the nr 8 u23 DT = nr 5 on cobblehills ),
if they train perfectly, most likely they will be a bit better as Clapton.
So, according to me, the Australian future competition in cobblehills will be extreme fierce ! 8)
And it will be not a guarantee to get a NT selection for some excellent Australian cobblehills specialists,
probably it will depend on the different kind of cobblehills races who will be the best top 9 GV ( or the best helpers ).
But that does change the fact that I like Clapton a lot, he can become excellent ( and with already gold now, in fact already excellent ).
If Clapton had another nationality, it would be obvious and self-evident that he gets NT selections in all types of cobblehills races.
I was not exaggerating in my statement ; :)
Thé new speciality of Australia ( instead of TT )
And in the TT-glory days of Australia, the Aus.NT managers had to dissapoint a lot of excellent high ranked TT specialists,
because we could select just 9. Perhaps this will be the future case now with cobblehills specialists.
Of course, there is always a possibility that my estimations of the young talents are not correct,
and maybe they will be less good as I expect. TR and how they train, are both of big influence, and ( in most cases ) unknown to me.
For sure also of influence is that I'm not an expert in estimating young talents, it is more on "Fox-gut-feeling", instead of calculations.
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Thanks for the detailed response. I wasn't expecting a response. I just posted it because I was happy that he increased to gold. He has just finished training his stamina and is now training downhill. After that I will do flat and then technique.
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You're welcome, and sometimes I get carried away with a way too long text response, this is a good example of that. :))
See it as ; for a part a response to you personally, but for the bigger part it is more a text in general / to everyone,
about the future Australian NT situation in cobblehills.
And who knows, maybe someone who reads this text, is now persuaded to be my successor as NT manager in the next season.
About time, because I'm the NT manager for 4 seasons in a row now, and certainly it will be fun to ride with Australia in cobblehills races. :)
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RACE 4 : DUTCH TT
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/bredatt.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/vPJwR4Q.jpg?1)
17ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento1.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/lluvia.jpg)
Breda, the Netherlands,
Tomorrow or even on Sunday morning the final selection will be made.
Because it is superclose between 8 cyclists for the remaining 6 spots, considering everything and not just my estimated race GV.
It could be that the few upcoming training sessions makes a difference in who to select.
Most likely my strategy will be ; gamble on the fully experienced old cyclists, and hope that they are still good enough to score points.
Or maybe it depends on the luck-factor if Australia ( still ) can score a decent amount of points, or even a very low amount of points.
One thing is certain ; the expectations are way lower as in previous season.
For example the now as 2nd best selected Sammy Alfier finished as 32nd in previous season, as last of the 9 selected Australians.
But I assume that luck was not on his side, because in s28 he finished as 19th and scored a few points.
Hopefully he does better now, also because he is the 2nd best Australian in the CFF flat-TT-ranking on nr 9.
Johnston is the best Australian according to CFF, he is on nr 7, and due to his active weather icon*, he should be able to do well.
Although, in s29 he was also the highest ranked Australian, and finished as 9th behind 3 other Australians, also 31yo and one 32yo.
It shows that luck for sure plays a role, and hopefully luck is on the Australian side in this upcoming time trial, most likely it is needed.
Australia NT selection :
Gilbert Johnston* ( 32 ) SentinelChickens
Lenny Taylor ( 32 ) RHyNeStOnEs
Sammy Alfier ( 27 ) Facha_Bartolo
Jonny Alfier ( 33 ) Innioraths
Billy Janson ( 32 ) Plopsala
Oliver Churchil ( 31 ) Speedbird
Maurice Hunter ( 28 ) SPORTLIFE
Alex Trautemberg* ( 32 ) Thorboassonarvesen
Bob Iverson ( 32 ) Catalonia_Team
edit ; Today the final 6 are selected, and this is the exact same TT selection as in previous NT season.
Again the not-selection of Herd ( 27yo ), who is the Aus.nr 4 according to my GV, and also the Aus.nr 4 according to the CFF ranking.
Also the even less experienced Boit ( 27yo ) is not selected, and he has a higher CFF ranking as 4 selected Australians.
Foley ( 28yo ) and Ferdinand ( 27yo ) are not selected too, despite being the Aus.nrs 8 & 9 in the CFF ranking,
also not experienced enough on top of their not high CFF ranking.
Instead I gamble on the experienced old cyclists, and for example Iverson has more than 1 full GV point less as the not selected Herd.
But in the 2 previous seasons it was also the case that Iverson had a too low CFF ranking, ánd a too low by me estimated race GV.
But somehow he is extreme lucky in NT races ;
5th in s28 ( = with weather icon and with mechanical breakdown ), and 6th in previous s29.
Reason enough to select him again and gamble on his extreme luck.
Trautemberg has even the lowest CFF ranking, but according to my estimated race GV, he is 0,4 better than Iverson.
In previous season he finished as 16th, and now he is selected mainly due to his active weather icon*, but also due to max. experience.
For sure experience was very important in my selection choices, for example also the reason why Churchil is selected with 97 xp.
In previous season I even gave him his debut at 30yo, and with success, because he scored a few points with his 18th place.
Hopefully he is again lucky and can score a few points.
But it could be very well possible that just 2 or 3 Australians can score points in this time trial. Or maybe many more, if they are lucky.
At least I ruled out the possibillity of a dissapointing time trial because of not experienced enough TT specialists.
This selection has a total of 857 xp, probably by far the most experienced NT selection of all nations in all NT races of this season. :)
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6 Sammy Alfier 27 0: 05" 160 Facha_Bartolo
11 Lenny Taylor 32 0: 08" 110 RHyNeStOnEs
12 Gilbert Johnston 32 0: 08" 100 SentinelChickens
13 Alex Trautemberg 32 0: 08" 90 Thorboassonarvesen
15 Oliver Churchil 31 0: 09" 70 Speedbird
19 Billy Janson 32 0: 11" 20 Plopsala
20 Jonny Alfier 33 0: 11" 10 Innioraths
- - - - - - - - - -
28 Maurice Hunter 28 0: 14" 0 SPORTLIFE
30 Bob Iverson 32 0: 14" 0 Catalonia_Team
Fortunately this time no mechanical breakdowns or flat tires. Still, luck was a factor, and some were very lucky and a few not lucky.
And as expected, way less TT points as in previous season ( ánd way less TT points as in almost all past NT seasons ),
but I'm very satisfied with these results and the relative very good total amount of 560 points = the best race score of all nations.
TOP 5 season ranking after 4 races :
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 1.410 8)
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) 915
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/portugal.jpg) 750
4. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) 715
5. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/suiza.jpg) 680
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u20 ( 35 cyclists ) :
(https://i.imgur.com/8zS0L1Q.png)
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RACE 5 : Flanders' most beautiful
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/flandes.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/gXA8VtD.jpg)
37ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento1.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
Bruges, Belgium,
Australia should be pretty strong with the nrs 6, 7, 12, 20, 33, 46, 49, 56, 57 in the CFF cobblehills ranking.
Not all 9 highest ranked Aussies are selected, because nr 46 is replaced by nr 69 who makes his debut thanks to a much better flat skill.
This RVV-race will be important in the world championship battle.
A good amount of points is needed now, because Australia is very bad in NT race 6 of next week.
Australia NT selection :
Colin Ronnald ( 24 ) MortoviaCycling
Andrew Morse ( 26 ) Plopsala
Alex Ablett* ( 29 ) Aspigarri
Emerson Brown ( 24 ) Atlanterhavet
James Crickton ( 25 ) Álvaro_Pino_Boys
Norman Pocock ( 31 ) Flandria
Kenneth Jackson* ( 29 ) Astanadena
Bruce Hunter ( 24 ) QuintoYtapa
Tony Glass ( 24 ) LaPlagaTeam ( debut )
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Looks like they've probably done enough for Australia to limp over the line in 1st for the season in the final race.
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3 Andrew Morse 26 0: 09" 225 Plopsala
8 Alex Ablett 29 0: 25" 140 Aspigarri
18 Kenneth Jackson 29 0: 42" 30 Astanadena
Very good results. 8)
Unfortunately teamcaptain Morse had no helper in the s4 front group of just 6 cyclists,
including free role Ablett* ( =very nice ! ), the also isolated Ukrainien teamcaptain, and 50% of this s4 front group was Russian.
Best helper ( thanks to weather icon* ) Jackson* came close, he was on 0:09" in the s4 chasing group of just 7 cyclists.
But he scored a few points himself, and also good to see that many young helpers finished not far outside the points.
The only other free role, Ronnald, seemed to have an off-day ( 26th on 0:50" ), because very unexpectedly, he dropped in s3 already.
Together with just one other ( also dissapointing ) Australian helper, all other 7 Australians were in the s3 front of 39 cyclists.
Australia scored a very nice total of 395 points in this race. Only Russia ( with thé top favorite ) did better, they scored 510 points.
Also very beneficial in this NT race 5 ;
no points of the former nrs 3 and 5 of the season ranking, the still nr 4 scored 100 points, and the former nr 2 just 20 points.
All other countries are doing a good job to devide the points more or less equally this season, what is very benificial to Australia. :)
TOP 5 season ranking after 5 races :
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 1.805 8)
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/rusia.jpg) 945
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) 935
4. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) 815
5. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/francia.jpg) 780
Looks like they've probably done enough for Australia to limp over the line in 1st for the season in the final race.
Yes, it seems / looks like that this NT race 5 was successful enough to achieve another world championship,
and that we can affort to have a ( expected ) NT race 6 with zero or almost zero points.
The current gap towards the nr 2 is huge at the moment, but still too soon to tell / it is not certain yet.
For example nr 2 Russia has the best ranked hillsclimber ( NT race 6 ) and the nr 3 ranked flat-cobble ( NT race 7 ).
And perhaps there will be another rival nation ( besides Russia ) after the unpredictable NT race 6, if it scores an enormous total points.
But for now it looks very promising due to the current big gap in points + at least top10 is expected in NT race 7.
And if all other nations keep on dividing the points more or less equally, the current total Australian points might be enough already.
Anyway, for sure too soon to cheer already with still 2 NT races to go, where Australia does not score many total points.
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RACE 6 : ANDORRA
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/cerler.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/VcOoNKY.jpg)
34ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
Andorra,
Hopefully the Australian teamcaptain is good enough to score some points.
The helpers are the just 2 other ( very low ranked- )golden hillsclimbers, ánd even 2 silver cyclists are selected for extra support.
Because of the low Australian quality in this hillsclimb race, there is a lot of space for xp cyclists.
Australia NT selection :
Liam Chester ( 29 ) Flandria ( debut )
Don Ford ( 30 ) Naram ( debut )
Charlie Blixter* ( 27 ) alasbravasagain ( debut )
Cody Embley ( 30 ) MohoricSLO
Dudley Bell ( 25 ) AmericanChow ( debut )
- - - - - - - - - -
Rick Cann ( 27 ) Atlanterhavet
Shaun Sifford ( 21 ) Villavante
Walt Furey ( 21 ) Villavante ( debut )
Colin Ronnald ( 24 ) MortoviaCycling
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3º Liam Chester 0:13"
A perfect race with a surprising, amazing result ! 8)
Thanks to a great helper's job of Don Ford, who was still with his teamcaptain in the s4 front group of 27.
Italy ( 380 ) and Colombia ( 380 ) scored the most points, but no "potential rivals", because too far behind in the season ranking.
France ( 230 ) was third and just 5 points better than Australia ( 225 ), so, we did better than "rivals" Russia and the Netherlands.
TOP 5 season ranking after 6 races :
1. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 2.030 8)
2. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/rusia.jpg) 1.065
3. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) 1.035
4. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/francia.jpg) 1.010
5. (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/italia.jpg) 980
Despite there is still one NT race to go, it is already official due to the current enormous lead in the season ranking :
(https://i.imgur.com/o4Zu8VM.gif)
For the 13th time in a row ;
Australia = world champion !
Big thanks to all managers that trained or raced with Australian top cyclists, who made this 17th( ! ) Australian world championship possible ! 8)
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RACE 7 : BRESKENS
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/breskens.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/oaGFgGS.jpg)
21ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento1.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/solnubes.jpg)
Breskens, the Netherlands,
The start and finish is in the Netherlands, but almost the whole race is in Belgium.
It is up to Pernom to try to get a nice race result, in this to me unexpected great NT season with again a world championship title. 8)
Australia NT selection :
Bob Pernom ( 26 ) TeamEuroscalt
Gilbert Ray ( 27 ) Thorboassonarvesen
Angus Dixon ( 23 ) ICSluj
Markus Harris ( 26 ) CajaRuralZamora
Dave Adams ( 26 ) Kroton
- - - - - - - - - -
Shaun Sifford ( 21 ) Villavante
Gus Furlong ( 21 ) HTCHungria ( debut )
Alex Caan ( 22 ) Mlb ( debut )
Rick Cann ( 27 ) Atlanterhavet
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NT race 7, final top 3 =
1 Erol Ryazanov 26 0: 00" 300 PDM_cycling_team
2 Bob Pernom 26 0: 00" 250 TeamEuroscalt
3 Brage Hope 27 0: 06" 225 Atlanterhavet
Unfortunately Pernom lost the sprint-á-deux for victory, but 2nd is still more than an excellent result.
And a great way to finish this amazing NT season ! :)
With an unexpected ( relative-)very high 2.280 total points, ánd a huge gap to nr 2 Russia that scored 1.365 total points.
(https://i.imgur.com/o4Zu8VM.gif)
For the 13th time in a row ;
Australia = world champion !
Big thanks to all managers that trained or raced with Australian top cyclists, who made this 17th( ! ) Australian world championship possible ! 8)