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English Cff Forum => NT Teams => Topic started by: Vos on December 18, 2020, 10:52:15 AM
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(https://i.imgur.com/YbYmlJW.jpg)
NT calendar of season 14 ; many cobblestones !
(https://i.imgur.com/bi7XdWp.jpg?1) AUSTRALIA NT ; SEASON 14 PREVIEW
race 1 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/fr.png) hills = HHHHH 148km
race 2 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/fr.png) mountains = MMMMM 177km
race 3 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/fr.png) sprint = FFFFF 176km
race 4 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/lu.png) time trial = FFC^HF 65km
race 5 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/fr.png) cobblehills = FFFHC^ 134km
race 6 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/be.png) flat-cobble = CFCCC 190km
race 7 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) flat-cobble = CCCCC 231km
No flat time trial.
Let's hope Australia can score many points too in this flat-cobblehills-TT, but I did not look into the stats of all TT-cyclists yet.
I just know that this exact same time trial was on the normal calendar in previous season as Tour de France stage 8.
Levin won that stage in division 1A, and his Australian teammate Mitchum finished as 2nd on 0:10"
Of course, the competition in the NT race can be very different.
Many cobblestones.
It seems certain to me that the new individual world champion will be a flat-cobble specialist.
Australia has 2 good contenders for the final 2 races, as former NT manager Aurora Australis proved in NT race 7 of previous season.
Season goals.
Battling for the individual world championship and battling for a podium place in the ranking by countries.
I have no idea if these seasongoals are possible or too ambitious (without a flat time trial).
Tomorrow I will make the NT selection for race 1, including a race 1 preview.
Next week I will post the lists, including the lists of 19yo's, so send your scout to Australia. 8) :)
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I will repeat my message in the old thread here:
So, as Jasper ended his important training phase, I'm going to start training him hills for a while, so...I will be promoting hillers. I know that is not what we need the most but... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
If you promote a good aussie hiller, I'll be glad to buy him :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/BCrQr0A.jpeg)
"Hi, I am the special welcome to Australia gift to OphiukoCT" :-*
Down Under we are very happy with your arrival :), Ophiuko, have fun and good luck with your Australian team. 8)
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Nice gift! ::) Thanks Vos! I hope I can contribute to the national team with some Aussies in the future :D
Good luck with the national team this season!
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Thanks :)
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RACE 1 : SALLANCHES
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/sallanches.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/GZIKFJq.jpeg)
20ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/lluvia.jpg)
Sallanches, French Alpes, very near to the borders of Switzerland and Italy,
Let's refresh the memory in hills races. The last time I was NT manager I wrote this before the pure hills race ;
There was no real hills race in previous season 10. In season 9 there was a Fleche Wallone hills race, but zero points for Australia.
In season 8 the same FW race and just 30 points. In season 7 there was a short pure hills race and 70 points were scored.
We have to go back to season 6 to see a good result of Australia in the hills ; 7th and 150 points in a pure hills race of 254km.
But I assume the situation changed since season 6 and the results of recent seasons are more applicable.
Together with the fact that the Australian hills specialists are not high ranked ( nrs 32, 38, 58, 86 and 88 ) ; the expectations are low.
And after this pure hills race in season 11 ;
Excellent race of the helpers ánd an excellent result of the Australian teamcaptain, he is just the nr 38 in the golden hills ranking.
6º John Jones 8)
I must mention that this was an exceptional good result and most likely a very lucky race.
I guess that in the following season 12 teamcaptain John Jones had not a lucky race with a 27th place outside the points.
In previous season 13 the new teamcaptain Gerard Shields did much better with an excellent 9th place in also a pure hills race.
It seems to me the Australian hills-situation improved compared to many seasons before.
Also to be seen in the golden hills ranking, now that is better than what I mentioned in my quote.
Now they are the nrs 16, 24, 30, 44, 80, 95, 108, 128 and 129. So we have 9 golden hills specialists at the moment.
But the last ranked is listed as flathills-specialist and not really suited for this pure hills race.
Australia starts this season with the strongest team possible, therefore 8 out of the 9 golden cyclists are selected.
For all 32yo's this will probably be their last NT race, so I expect they are now motivated to be good helpers for one more time.
Coleman and Shields are the best, almost no difference in my estimated GV for this specific pure hills race in France.
So, I'm still a little in doubt who to make the teamcaptain.
For now, the tactics are made with the much younger Shields as teamcaptain, because he did great in previous season.
The goal in this NT race is to achieve a top10 result again.
If this is a too optimistic goal, I expect some points anyway, because Australia improved in hills races by now.
But there is always the possibillity of a tactical faillure(and 0 points) in NT races, I experienced that many times, let's hope this race goes well.
Just one place left for an xp-cyclist.
And that is for the 24yo flat-cobble specialist Keith Hunter, who will be important later this NT season.
Australia NT selection :
Gerard Shields ( 25 ) Quickstepbronx
Vinnie Coleman ( 31 ) galegospolabici
Zack Walkins ( 25 ) Quickstepbronx
Herbie Fredickson ( 24 ) MarquinaTeam
Austin Burton ( 32 ) Facha_Bartolo
John Jones ( 32 ) KunTeam
Royce Henderson ( 32 ) Handest
Tyler Walker ( 32 ) NervionBike
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Keith Hunter ( 24 ) catapunchimpon
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Pffff, what a start of the season ; an extreme bad race of teamcaptain Shields. :(
Despite Shields had a many EP hard start, very unexpectedly he was the only Australian who could not follow the huge s1 peleton of 94(!) cyclists.
And even worse, with less but still 2 EP(!) in s2, he dropped even further behind and was almost last in this race (as 145th).
So extreme far behind, of course he was isolated the whole disastrous race, and teamcaptain Shields finished as 132º on 1:20" !!!! :-[
My first reaction was after seeing how this race went for Shields and after seeing his result ;
I wondered if I selected the right Shields, and not someone else with the same last name.
But that was not the case, it really was Shields, the nr 16 in the golden hills ranking of CFF.
Also I'm 100% sure his tactics were right (total of 12 EP) and that he had a teamcaptain role ; I checked it a few times.
In fact ; the next time I will use the exact same tactics, or even more risky tactics with less total EP in s1 and s2.
How Shields performed makes no sense at all too, when I compare that with the other Australians.
This is by far the worst tactical race I had with a teamcaptain in a NT race, and this includes the many times as NT manager in CFF2.
In contrast to the tactics of Shields (again, according to me right tactics), the back up plans with the 2 free roles worked,
and an Australian in a helpers role even finished in the top10 ( Shields should have been easily in his wheel in s4, in 99,9% of all races).
results NT race 1 ;
9º Coleman ( helper )
11º Burton ( free role )
16º Jones ( free role )
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132º Shields ( teamcaptain ) :o :-[
Well, despite this was the most horrible, extreme bad race of a teamcaptain ever in Australian history of CFF (all versions),
Australia score 300 points in this race, and that is even more as I expected before the race.
Italy won this NT race and is the current leader in the ranking by nations with 490 points.
Australia is 4th, but most likely will drop next week because that is a mountains race. Maybe I should race that one without a teamcaptain. :))
edit ; Maybe I should ask Oska, because I really consider this was a software error with Shields.
I have seen many very weird things in NT races that sometimes makes no sense, but I never experienced something so extreme bad as this.
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The same has happened with many favorites. Look at the results of Valter, Verbeek, Wirth, Preisig, Kluivert, Carrere... Valter and Wirth were even in a 3rd group after section 1.
Weird race, as usual in national teams. There is even a hills silver medal that ended in position 13.
Anyways the number of points got for the Australian team is quite good.
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Don't worry VOS, this things happens from time to time with NT races. And mostly all the people thinks in any moment that could be a SW problem...haha. NT races are always crazy.
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Ok, I was just looking at the Aussies, it makes no sense at all what Shields did. I did not look at the "rivals" who had also an offday or so.
I thought I had seen it all, in my for sure over 15 times as NT manager, I guess I was wrong. This one was the most extreme.
But the free roles and the best "helper" had a good race, so 300 points is an excellent result.
It even could be one of the Australian high scores ever in CFF3 in a pure hills race. Sometimes this game is very surprising. :D
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Just remember how Basso lost the 2005 Giro, although he was (arguably) the strongest in the field... Stuff happens :P
In any case, awesome job, all things considered!
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Thanks ( for a little bit ;) ).
Next week again a young 25yo teamcaptain, and the week after most likely even a 24yo teamcaptain.
This truely will be a transition season of Australia.
And we have to wait after race 4, the flat-cobblehills-TT, to see what the Australian chances are this season.
Hopefully a podiumplace is possible in the final season ranking, despite there are many fierce rival countries with excellent NT managers.
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Just remember how Basso lost the 2005 Giro, although he was (arguably) the strongest in the field... Stuff happens :P
This is good news for the next Australian NT manager in season 15, because Basso won the Giro d'Italia the next year, in 2006. :))
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Just remember how Basso lost the 2005 Giro, although he was (arguably) the strongest in the field... Stuff happens :P
This is good news for the next Australian NT manager in season 15, because Basso won the Giro d'Italia the next year, in 2006. :))
Yeah, only difference is that instead of bad dope, we have SW.
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Well hello mr Wilson!
Martin Wilson Age : 19 Wage : 850
Stamina : 64 Sprint : 5 Climbing : 66
Flat : 19 Cobblestone : 62 Technique : 54
Downhill : 60 Hills : 8 Aggressiveness : 19
Time Trial : 34 Teamwork : 53 Experience : 0
Price : 1 Days left : Stages raced : 0
https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/vision.php?ciclistaid=117007 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/vision.php?ciclistaid=117007)
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Well hello mr Wilson!
Martin Wilson Age : 19 Wage : 850
Stamina : 64 Sprint : 5 Climbing : 66
Flat : 19 Cobblestone : 62 Technique : 54
Downhill : 60 Hills : 8 Aggressiveness : 19
Time Trial : 34 Teamwork : 53 Experience : 0
Price : 1 Days left : Stages raced : 0
https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/vision.php?ciclistaid=117007 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/vision.php?ciclistaid=117007)
Very nice ! 8)
And the best 19yo Australian climber.
I found a picture for Wilson his profile page : :)
(https://i.imgur.com/JFQXFdT.jpg)
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Well hello mr Wilson!
Martin Wilson Age : 19 Wage : 850
Stamina : 64 Sprint : 5 Climbing : 66
Flat : 19 Cobblestone : 62 Technique : 54
Downhill : 60 Hills : 8 Aggressiveness : 19
Time Trial : 34 Teamwork : 53 Experience : 0
Price : 1 Days left : Stages raced : 0
https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/vision.php?ciclistaid=117007 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/vision.php?ciclistaid=117007)
If instead of that 62 cobb were flat or hills... :o :o
Anyway, is a great pure climber
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(https://i.imgur.com/YJ8KbqV.png)
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RACE 2 : Madone d'Utelle
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/utelle.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/CoQ8wRM.jpeg)
38ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento3.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
Nice, France,
Australia has not a good palmares in pure mountain NT races. In the past we were happy if a few points could be scored.
Still we have just a few golden climbers, but the situation improved because we have a new and better teamcaptain ; Jason Furey.
In previous season he was not successful yet, but this season he is more experienced,
and he has a lot of confidence after winning both mountain stages in the Paris Nice of division 2d.
Of course this is no guarantee for a successful race, in fact, it will be a very difficult race in this extreme hot weather with a stormy mistral.
Let's hope the helpers will do a great job, so Furey does not have to ride in the wind and has enough water to drink.
Because Australia has just a few climbers ( only 3 Australian pure climbers in the golden climb ranking ; the nrs 72, 247 and 300 ),
there is space to select xp cyclists ; a 22yo climber who is in the u23 DT, a 21yo TT toptalent, and the 24yo teamcaptain of next week.
Australia NT selection :
Jason Furey ( 25 ) PDM_cycling_team
Anthony Garza ( 32 ) SaulSalinasTeam
Trevor Winger ( 31 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Colin Mount ( 27 ) Teka
Ryan Henderson ( 27 ) FrançaiseDesJeux
Nate Henderson** ( 32 ) Estoparia
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Norm Bush* ( 22 ) Orange
Nobby Licuria ( 21 ) Aurora_Australis
Jasper Blair ( 24 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
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Almost all Australians did not do what I planned, just 2 of them listened a bit to my tactical briefing before the race ;
the 22yo Bush was the only helper of Furey in s1, after that only Garza did a perfect helper's job in s2, s3 ánd s4.
Thanks to the crucial help of Garza and thanks to a very good final climb of teamcaptain Furey, he finished on an excellent 5º place. 8)
Despite a too low pure climb GV, N.Henderson (19º) scored unexpectedly 20 points extra, thanks to his double weather bonus.
I'm 99% sure this is the best result ever of Australia in a pure mountain NT race.
Australia moved up to the 2º place in the season ranking, 180 points behind leader Italy.
Next week we stay in the French Alpes, but no climbs next week, it is a NT sprint race. Only the extreme hot temperature is the same.
For the first time the just 24yo Jasper Blair will be the teamcaptain of Australia.
I'm curious how he will perform, hopefully the foreign sprint rivals will not wear bulletproof cycling shirts. :)
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Just for fun :) ánd as a reward/encouragement, because so far there are just 25x 19yo's, and I assume not all 25 will have a future in this game.
Australia u20 ( 25 cyclists )
(https://i.imgur.com/ZT0ZJCz.png)
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Thanks for the lists, Vos.
Somehow, 2 climbing talents who were set free by Frenkie's team (both for €1 on the list) found their way to my team. I will try to look after them and train them well.
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Always good to read that a topmanager trains Australian talents. 8)
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Given the Jasper Blair is better than Nelson was at his peak (who appears to have been retired), and that it's not a windy race, we should be confident about getting points. The future of Aussie sprinting is ready to perform.
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Yes, indeed, Jasper Blair is better than the retired Nelson.
Maybe the sprint competition might be better now than Nelson had in his many seasons as Australian sprint leader.
Although I also agree with you that we normally should be more confident to score points in NT sprint races, and more points than Nelson did.
But it is a NT sprint race, then often abnormal things happen, even without wind.
And besides this ; a sprint race is all about tactics / taking risk or less risk.
There is always a possibillity that a risky tactic can go wrong what causes 0 points. Almost risk free tactics is just a few points/not enough to me.
Personally ; I'm never confident before a NT sprint race, even now, with a better sprint leader than we had before.
But Jasper Blair is a great asset to Australia. I expect he will score much more future points on average in future races, than his predecessor.
A preview of this NT sprint race later today.
On Monday I already selected 4 sprinters and made the tactics, just in case. 5 more to be selected today, possibly including xp cyclists.
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RACE 3 : BELLEY
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/belley.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/0eThKMN.jpeg)
36ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
Tain-L'Hermitage, France,
For the first time the just 24yo Jasper Blair will be the teamcaptain.
He is the nr 16 in the golden sprint list, ranked as hills sprinter, but he is an excellent flat sprinter as well.
The expectations are high, although NT sprint races are always a bit of a gamble. Let's hope all tactics go well.
Blair should have good support, 2 of the helpers are of his own team, so I assume they know how to help their teammate perfectly.
Two semi-xp-cyclists are selected ;
the 21yo promising sprinter Ablett, and for the 2nd time this season the 24yo top-flatcobble-specialist Hunter.
One real xp cyclist is selected ; the 22yo TT specialist Mount.
And not even because he is the nr1 in the u23 DT, but more because he is the most experienced u24 Australian.
Let's reward the manager who trains him very well and let him ride a lot, therefore Mount gets his 2nd NT race in his career.
Nice remark :) ; maybe this is the youngest Australian NT selection ever.
Australia NT selection :
Jasper Blair ( 24 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Ryan Pierre* ( 27 ) CC_Porco_Jones
Tony Carter ( 32 ) MarvelProCycling
Wilt Frances ( 24 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Tim Malone ( 24 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Richard Davidson ( 25 ) Luka_Warriors
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Leroy Ablett ( 21 ) lasposturas
Keith Hunter ( 24 ) catapunchimpon
Bud Mount ( 22 ) ChronoTony
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g0 g0 g0!!
The Gun, The Shotgun and The Bullet (Frances, Malone and Blair) are ready for this challenge! They will shot, Blair will hurt.
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11º Blair --> (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/pinchazo.jpg) with mechanical breakdown in the crucial final section 5 :(
19º Pierre ( helper )
A dissapointing result due to bad luck.
Also remarkable that the peleton was mega-huge in s1 with 148 cyclists ( out of the total of 166 cyclists ).
I took no risk at the start and it seems to me that Australia had a too hard start.
But also it seems to me that almost all countries had a too hard start, so that might cancel out the too hard start of Australia.
Looking at the bright side of this NT sprint race ; 11º with bad luck in the decisive s5, that is very promising for future NT sprint races.
Top results and many points are possible in the future. Unfortunately now just a total of 130 points.
But those too few 130 points are good enough to get closer to former leader Italy who did not score in this NT race 3.
However, new leader the Netherlands had 5 sprinters who scored points, including a 2º place behind the Norwegian race victor of Aurora Australis.
This means that Australia dropped one place in the season ranking, now 50 points behind Italy and 150 points behind the Netherlands.
Despite a bad luck race with too few points, Australia came 30 points closer to the number 1 position. (before this race, Italy had a lead of 180 points)
But of course, this is a dissapointing race result and possibly even a missed opportunity to take the lead in the season ranking.
Next week the time trial of 65km in Luxembourg, including 1 cobblehill- and 1 hill section.
Let's hope Australia can score many points there compared to the many rival countries, because it is all close together right now.
But I did not estimate yet the GV of this specific time trial, so I don't know yet if Australia can score many points.
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(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/pinchazo.jpg)
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/5037a916ab068b10aa66c62f5a46d3b1/tenor.gif?itemid=14722069)
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Some best 19yo's made it into this u21 list. Later this week ; again a list of just the 19yo's. So send your scout to Australia. 8)
Australia u21 ( 81 cyclists, including 33x 19yo's )
(https://i.imgur.com/mMROoMq.png)
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I have 5 19yo hillers this season, but I'm not particulary happy with them so...I will train them this season and we will see next season if I start again or what.
P.S: is still soon, and a new star can raise from promotion but...
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Some luck for Australia's next cobblehill-generation. Both Armstrong and Lucas have talent 5.
Charles Armstrong Age : 19 Wage : 848
Stamina : 34 Sprint : 69 Climbing : 1
Flat : 49 Cobblestone : 71 Technique : 59
Downhill : 59 Hills : 58 Aggressiveness : 14
Time Trial : 31 Teamwork : 12 Experience : 0
Dylan Lucas Age : 19 Wage : 854
Stamina : 31 Sprint : 5 Climbing : 25
Flat : 63 Cobblestone : 72 Technique : 60
Downhill : 23 Hills : 52 Aggressiveness : 79
Time Trial : 24 Teamwork : 25 Experience : 2
Now only their manager has to find a way to train them both perfectly, which will be a challenge. Armstrong will ask for a sprint training in order to perform in G-W (although it might be possible to let just the U24-bonus do its work als not many G-W specialists are trained), whereas Lucas will need some longer downhill-training.
Luckily, the other (trainable and relevant) skills are quite similar, so this should bring Australia some joy in the future.
Lucas is only 0.2 GV away from the best 19yo's spot in cobble-hilling. With the last update the difference with Barret Waithe was 0.98, so either the latter's talent rating is very low or he is not trained cobble... yet. It doesn't matter, we're one team anyway :).
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u20 ( 35 cyclists )
(https://i.imgur.com/TYvU2WK.png)
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Good news for Australia :) ;
Angus Friend ( 4 victories in NT races ) is active again after his transfer as free cyclist to an 1A team.
He will be very needed in the final 2 NT races of this season.
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So happy with my second pick in the free transfer market. Hope he can do it well in my team and also with the NT. ;) ;)
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In Australia we are proud that Angus Friend has joined a good team with an experienced, competent, very nice manager. 8) :-*
Good luck with Angus ! :)
Season goals.
Battling for the individual world championship and battling for a podium place in the ranking by countries.
And maybe he can win the individual NT world championship jersey for your team page / palmares.
But don't count on that, the last time I raced with Angus was a failure.
Hopefully this NT season more luck and perfect tactics, then he has a chance. For sure I will try to achieve this prestigious goal.
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RACE 4: LUXEMBOURG
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/lux.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/vU7CY1k.jpeg)
33ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento2.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
Luxembourg,
To make this selection was a puzzle, because this time trial has a difficult to estimate GV and because Australia has many TT specialists.
I selected not just according to my own estimated GV, but also to a wide range of different GV estimations, in case my GV is wrong.
Of course, I looked also at the active weather icons and the experience, by making this selection.
Special thanks to Ophiuko, who thought along with the wide range of different GV estimations.
Unfortunately it is not possible to select more than 9 ; I would have liked to see a few more, how they would do in this specific time trial.
But I had to make difficult choices.
For the first time this specific time trial is on the NT calendar, and I have no idea how good the foreign rivals are.
So, I have also no clue if and how many points Australia can score.
Let's hope Australia can score just as many time trial points as they did in every previous NT season. It is a possibillity.
But it is also a possibillity that Australia scores the lowest total points ever achieved in a NT time trial.
Hopefully there will be a good amount of points, so that Australia continues to battle for the worldchampionship and/or podium.
Australia NT selection :
Angel Morrison ( 27 ) Frenkie
Neil Bell ( 31 ) SPORTLIFE
Fergus Mayne* ( 27 ) TeamManusof ( debut )
Ben Mitchum* ( 32 ) Aurora_Australis
Peter Coleman ( 27 ) Frenkie
Richard Levin ( 32 ) Aurora_Australis
Ted Walkins* ( 32 ) GarruTeam
Paul Clickett ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Arthur Marbley ( 30 ) Lemosteam ( debut )
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RACE 4: LUXEMBOURG
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/lux.jpg)
33ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento2.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/sol.jpg)
To make this selection was a puzzle, because this time trial has a difficult to estimate GV and because Australia has many TT specialists. I selected not just according to my own estimated GV, but also to a wide range of different GV estimations, in case my GV is wrong.
For my GV calcs, I used ST15 FL20 CB8 TQ10 HL10 AG2 TT35
Would be interesting to see the GVs you used, if you don't mind sharing it/them.
Thanks.
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Would be interesting to see the GVs you used, if you don't mind sharing it/them.
Thanks.
Sharing in general on the forum will not happen. Sharing it just to you as top secret information is no problem, Kekipi. :)
And I have even more insight in GV now after the race, although to my surprise, it is almost confermation of my own estimated GV.
On the forum I can mention this to you, Kekipi ; I'm sure the USA had just one suited TT specialist for this time trial.
More about the GV of this specific NT time trial in a pm tomorrow.
Busy, busy, busy today, and in CFF too, with now checking my Giro selection and so on.
And keep in mind ; for your eyes only. 8) We don't want to make the rival countries smarter than they already are. ;)
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Excellent results ! 8)
2º Levin
5º Bell
9º Mitchum
11º Morrison
16º Coleman
18º Mayne
This gives a total of 760 points in this NT time trial, and Australia scored the most points.
Also Great Britain had excelllent results and scored 670 points.
Australia is the new leader in the season ranking with a lead of 345 points towards new nr 2 Great Britain.
Former nr 1 the Netherlands scored just 40 points, and former nr 2 Italy 0 points.
Also many other countries did not score many points.
Not surprising, because AUS + GB scored together 1.410 points out of the total of 2.445 points. Not many left for other countries. :)
Also good about this NT race 4 is that I selected the right point scoring TT specialists.
And after the race I'm certain that I did not overlook someone whp could score points too.
Not an easy task before this unknow time trial, there were many possibillities and many good Australian TT specialists.
Next week a flat-cobblehills race in France.
Normally Australia does not score points in NT cobblehills races. But this specific cobblehills race with 3 flat sections can be an exception,
because in season 10 when I was NT manager I had this exact same race. And the just silver teamcaptain finished to my surprise as 10º.
He is already selected, together with the only Australian who has a golden cobblehills icon, the just 24yo Sam Rooney.
He looks promising for this specific NT race, because also he has a very good flat skill as extra.
And it is a cobblehills NT race, traditionally the best opportunity for Australia to select xp cyclists.
Already one of them is selected, the according to me most promising 19yo talent will make his debut.
For sure more xp cyclists will be selected, so train your Australian talents well. :-*
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Would be interesting to see the GVs you used, if you don't mind sharing it/them.
Thanks.
Sharing in general on the forum will not happen. Sharing it just to you as top secret information is no problem, Kekipi. :)
And I have even more insight in GV now after the race, although to my surprise, it is almost confermation of my own estimated GV.
On the forum I can mention this to you, Kekipi ; I'm sure the USA had just one suited TT specialist for this time trial.
More about the GV of this specific NT time trial in a pm tomorrow.
Busy, busy, busy today, and in CFF too, with now checking my Giro selection and so on.
And keep in mind ; for your eyes only. 8) We don't want to make the rival countries smarter than they already are. ;)
Thank you. I'm honored. :)
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Jasper is in the Dream Team since today! 8)
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Jasper is in the Dream Team since today! 8)
Great ! ! ! 8)
Also fun to see ; since a few days Oscar Smith ( SPORTLIFE ) is the new number 1 in the TT Dream Team. :)
At the moment there are just 5 Australians in the DT ; 1x climb TT, 3x flat TT, and 1x sprint.
In the u23 DT even less ; just 3 Australians ( 3x TT ).
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(https://i.imgur.com/2Ai1WGj.jpg)
Australia u24 ( total of 194 = 34x 19yo, 48x 20yo, 63x 21yo, 37x 22yo, 12x 23yo )
(https://i.imgur.com/yFcLp7j.png)
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Also fun to see ; since a few days Oscar Smith ( SPORTLIFE ) is the new number 1 in the TT Dream Team. :)
At the moment there are just 5 Australians in the DT ; 1x climb TT, 3x flat TT, and 1x sprint.
In the u23 DT even less ; just 3 Australians ( 3x TT ).
32 years of age is beginning to hurt my TTers.
The good news is that all of my currently 21 yo TTers will be dominating the u23 dream team next season, and by this time next season they'll all be 94+TT : 92+FL : 90+TQ (a few slightly higher).
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Late, but welcome :D
Gordon Pocock Age : 19 Wage : 579
Stamina : 64 Sprint : 15 Climbing : 65
Flat : 40 Cobblestone : 11 Technique : 74
Downhill : 56 Hills : 2 Aggressiveness : 27
Time Trial : 11 Teamwork : 9 Experience : 0
Price : 1 Days left : Stages raced : 0
https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/vision.php?ciclistaid=122303 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/vision.php?ciclistaid=122303)
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RACE 5 : MEUDON
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/chatou.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/HEb7Mu1.jpeg)
0ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/viento1.jpg)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/nieve.jpg)
Chatou, very near to Paris, France,
For many, many seasons Australia did not score points in cobblehills races.
With one exception ; this cobblehills race with 3 flat sections was once before.
Back in season 10 Byers surprised me by finishing as 10th, despite he had just a silver icon.
Maybe he was lucky or maybe he profited of bad tactics by rival countries due to the storm.
Also having a helper in s4 was crucial to get the surprising 10th place as silver cyclist.
That good helper is already retired at the age of just 31yo. And it must be recent, because he was in the list of this season.
But no worries, because for the first time ever Australia has a golden cobblehills specialist, the 24yo Rooney.
Just like Byers, he has a good flat as extra. Both cyclists are just as good, according to my estimated GV for this specific flat-cobblehills race.
Tactics are made, but I'm not sure yet who the teamcaptain will be. Perhaps I will change that before the race starts.
Most countries just below Australia ( current nr 1 :) ) did not score many points in this same race of season 10.
Of course, the upcoming results can be very different compared to already 4 seasons ago.
But back then the current nr 8 Belgium did amazing with a victory and 7 Belgians who scored points.
And Belgium is also good on the decisive flat cobblestones of NT races 6 and 7. Perhaps Belgium will be the most fierce rival this season.
Australia NT selection :
Sam Rooney ( 24 ) Lemarche
Alex Byers ( 31 ) Fountain
Kirk Trump ( 32 ) $Tourmalet
Keith Sheehan ( 31 ) Doorzetters
Nate Douglas ( 32 ) SentinelChickens
- - - - -
Marc Huling ( 21 ) CobbleCrushers
Keith Hunter ( 24 ) catapunchimpon
Nobby Licuria ( 21 ) Aurora_Australis
Martin Wilson ( 19 ) WinterIsComing ( debut )
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Unfortunately ; zero points.
This race was over in section 2, where teamcaptain Byers and free role Rooney unexpectedly dropped out of the big front peleton of 105 ( ! ).
In s3 both still in the 2nd group on just 0:28"
Despite full power in the final 2 decisive sections, their results far outside the top 20 made clear they were not good enough in this race ;
53º Byers on 0:39" is a big time gap of 15 seconds behind the nr 20. Free role Rooney finished as 90º on 0:55"
Great Britain won this race and scored the most total points of all countries.
The world champion of previous season is now the new leader in the season ranking. Australia is 2nd, just 25 points behind Great Britain.
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Well we kept to the Aussie tradition here.
At least our guys made it to the finish, the flu struck down the poor Spaniards.
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Zero points, but still there was Australian succes in this race ; Jackson ( GB ) won, and he is riding in the Australian team of Zatarra.
Perhaps the first time for this Australian manager that one of his cyclists won a NT race ; congratulations Zatarra ! 8)
I hope to win this prestigious milestone too somewhere in the future.
Also nice to mention :) ;
today Sam Lee ( 32, AUS ) won the Dauphiné, and he is riding for $Tourmalet ( AUS ).
It seems that Australian team will remain in 1A easily, the same for my team, Zatarra and Aurora_Australis.
But this season Australia has even 6 Australian teams in 1A ; hopefully Antequera and OphiukoCT can both win the fierce relegation battle.
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I'm trying hard to promote to 1ª, but I have no Tourmans, I achieve podium in 28 of 58 races on this season (the one with most podiums, most wins, most 2nds, most 3rds..), and still 8th... :(
I have plenty of millions, and I think it is almost impossible to promote for me...hahahah, and next season will be harder as my main riders core has now 32yo. I need to try a move on the market, but no one wants to sell haha.
Next season is perfect for Jasper in 1A!!
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Indeed, Jasper needs to sprint at the highest level.
Although the season is far over halfway, there are still about half of the total season points in the game and that is a lot.
Everything is still possible, good luck Franky !
And if there is no promotion this season 14, well, although the sooner the better, no worries, Jasper is still young.
But when your team does not promote in next season 15, I can hear already the rumor that Jasper wants to ride for SPORTLIFE. :P ;) ;D
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RACE 6 : BRESKENS
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/breskens.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/oaGFgGS.jpg)
24ºC
Breskens, the Netherlands,
Already all 6 golden flat-cobble-specialists are selected.
Later this week a race preview and the selection of the final 3 cyclists.
Australia NT selection :
Angus Friend ( 31 ) Mlb
Keith Hunter ( 24 ) catapunchimpon
Peter Boit ( 24 ) Vitimper
Eric Kelly ( 32 ) Antequera
John Battle ( 32 ) Antequera
Kent McClure ( 32 ) Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling
X
X
X
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Indeed, Jasper needs to sprint at the highest level.
Although the season is far over halfway, there are still about half of the total season points in the game and that is a lot.
Everything is still possible, good luck Franky !
And if there is no promotion this season 14, well, although the sooner the better, no worries, Jasper is still young.
But when your team does not promote in next season 15, I can hear already the rumor that Jasper wants to ride for SPORTLIFE. :P ;) ;D
Jasper right now: (https://media1.giphy.com/media/kDBOmu0rhalR9Tal7c/giphy.gif)
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:))
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Zero points, but still there was Australian succes in this race ; Jackson ( GB ) won, and he is riding in the Australian team of Zatarra.
Perhaps the first time for this Australian manager that one of his cyclists won a NT race ; congratulations Zatarra ! 8)
I hope to win this prestigious milestone too somewhere in the future.
Also nice to mention :) ;
today Sam Lee ( 32, AUS ) won the Dauphiné, and he is riding for $Tourmalet ( AUS ).
It seems that Australian team will remain in 1A easily, the same for my team, Zatarra and Aurora_Australis.
But this season Australia has even 6 Australian teams in 1A ; hopefully Antequera and OphiukoCT can both win the fierce relegation battle.
That's true, Via! The first NT victory of my team. Even better, Jackson was heavily supported by Stamer who is also riding for my team. It explains why the tandem worked so well of course.
U don't know if its a easy staying in 1A. There's quite a lot of points to be divided among all the teams, but the amount of points my tour riders are currently gathering is unsatisfactory. Don't know what I'm doing wrong...
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Just noticed that my first 21 year old TTer has reached silver TT. No doubt the rest will be there soon.
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Very nice, AA ! 8) And impressive, because this is very, very soon.
And I see that 3 of your 21yo talents already scored 1A points, wow !
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RACE 6 : BRESKENS
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/breskens.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/oaGFgGS.jpg)
24ºC (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.
No space for xp cyclists in this NT race 6, because Australia is in full battle mode to try to be the season 14 world champion.
Despite just 25 points behind right now, it will be difficult because main rival Great Britain has the best flat cobble specialist of the game.
Great Britain versus Australia ; according to the CFF golden ranking of just flat-cobble specialists :
GB = nrs 1, 8, 9, 35, 52, 53, 63, 73.
AUS = nrs 4, 6, 40, 65, 71, 93, 96.
There could be more WC battle rivals, for example current nr 4 the Netherlands maybe can score the most points on the cobbles.
Some other countries can do very well too on the cobbles, but already too far behind, for example Russia and Denmark.
The current nr 3 Portugal has the nrs 12 and 19 as best two cyclists, so they have to surprise to join the world championship battle.
The 23yo Whisman gained his golden icon this week and he makes his well deserved debut.
Hunter almost passed Friend in the golden ranking, it is extreme close in GV, and probably Hunter will pass Friend in the next few days.
But Friend is twice as experienced and he will be the teamcaptain in NT races 6 ánd 7. Also due to the individual WC battle.
Australia NT selection :
Angus Friend ( 31 ) Mlb
Keith Hunter ( 24 ) catapunchimpon
Peter Boit ( 24 ) Vitimper
Eric Kelly ( 32 ) Antequera
John Battle ( 32 ) Antequera
Kent McClure ( 32 ) Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling
Vince Whisman ( 23 ) Luka_Warriors ( debut )
Dylan Gilliam ( 32 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Jonny Glass ( 32 ) RemcoEvenpoelckx
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1º Friend --> great solo victory ! 8) Even with a big gap of 0:17" ahead of the solo number 2.
And already the 5th NT race victory in the career of Friend.
Of course, I'm very happy with this victory that gives Friend a good fighting chance to become the individual world champion.
But not entirely satisfied about this NT race, because I hoped that more Australians could score points.
In particular Hunter ( 8º in previous season ), but obviously he had a very bad day with an unexpected drop in flat section 2.
Hunter even dropped from the front peleton(s1) into the 3rd group(s2), and that on a flat section and he has a very high flat-skill.
His race was over after his bizarre drop in s2. Too bad, because Australia really could use the extra points.
Great Britain scored the most points in this NT race ( 460 ), and now has a too big lead of 185 points towards Australia.
Normally GB will be again the world champion, just like in previous season.
Only if Australia has an amazing NT race 7, incl. a few points scoring cyclists, ánd GB has a very bad race, only then there is a little chance.
But with one race to go, it is already certain that the race victory of Friend secured the 2nd place in the final season ranking.
So, Australia improved compared to previous season, and 2nd is of course a good season result ( although 2nd is my worst result as NT manager ).
Still, a little bit dissapointing that Australia has not a good chance anymore to become the world champion of season 14.
Of course, I'm gonna try anyway. And maybe Friend can ease the dissapointment by winning the individual worldchampionship.
Only one time before an Australian won this ind. WC title ; TT specialist Levin ( season 7 ).
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Great win today VOS. Even if we don't win in the NT ranking at the end, another 2nd place is AWESOME for us. We are the best National Team in this CFF history.
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Thanks Franky :)
And indeed, Australia is in every different NT ranking the ( by far ! ) best nation, except for 1 ranking ; most world championships.
Spain has 4 and Australia has 3, so I was really hoping we could pass Spain this season ( Spain has no silver and bronze medals ).
Also this 2nd place is not good for my average as Australian NT manager after being 1º, 2º and 1º. :P ;) :))
But the season is not over yet, there is still a little chance to beat current world champion Great Britain.
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Of course I agree with you that a 2nd place is amazing for a little CFF country like Australia.
It is really special that Australia has such great NT palmares. 8)
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It is something to remember, because once the TT generation that we have now is retired...it will be much harder to reach the podium :-\
For sure, I'm not going to be National Manager just after this massive retirement ;D ;D ;D
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Hmmmm, I think Australia might surprise you, Franky.
I estimate that Australia can do very well, even with the massive retirement of the awesome TT specialists of Aurora Australis.
As you could see this NT season, Australia had very young teamcaptains ( or could have, for example the 24yo flat-cobble specialist Hunter ).
And they caused a situation that Australia is not heavily depended on the TT points anymore. The future looks bright. :)
Even besides this ; the hills TT specialists are not old, so if there is a hills TT race instead of a flat TT race, Australia still scores many TT points.
If there is a climb TT race instead, also not a problem, because we have the best (now 27yo) Australian climb TT specialist of the game.
And the amazing TT youth team of Aurora Australis is 21yo now, so in a few seasons we will score again many TT points in flat TT races.
If nobody is up to the challenge to do the honorable and fun job as Australian NT manager next season,
then I will be automatically the NT manager again, and also in next season my goal will most likely be the podium.
Of course, the goal will also depend on the unknown season 15 NT calendar.
Perhaps there will be 2 sprint races, so the Australian NT manager of next season can have fun with the then 25yo Jasper Blair. 8) ;)
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Also nice to know ;
Without the 760 TT points of this season, Australia would be on a split 5º place, 220 points behind the podium.
In hills race 1 Australia had a gigantic failure ( 132º ) with the teamcaptain. Despite this, Australia scored a good 300 points in race 1.
In sprint race 3, teamcaptain Blair ( 11º ) had a mechanical breakdown in the crucial section 5, that for sure costed many points.
So even if Australia would have scored zero points in the time trial ;
in this season calendar with one more cobble race to go, there would be still a chance to get on the podium, even including the unlucky races.
Of course, we need many TT points to battle for the world championship. Current world champion Great Britain will remain a fierce rival.
And in the situation of the next 2 seasons (not more), we are depended on the season schedule to compete for a podiumplace.
For example in a bad season schedule with 2 cobblehills races, the podium is most likely out of reach.
But even in cobblehills there is improvement, this season Australia has a golden cobblehills rider for the first time ever.
Unfortunately he is low ranked, so it is very doubtfull if he can score points if there is a for him suited cobblehills race.
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By the way ; also Great Britain makes use of TT points.
This season GB scored 670 TT points, just 90 points less than Australia. Although it was an unusual ( flatcobblehills ) time trial.
In previous season GB was world champion, despite just 390 TT points.
But GB has young, very high ranked TT specialists now,
so I expect they will score many TT points in the next seasons, probably more than they already did this season.
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RACE 7 : FRAUENFELD
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/etapas/frau.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/8NQTH62.jpg)
13ºC (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/lluvia.jpg)
Frauenfeld, Switzerland,
The same strongest selection as in previous cobblestones race, because much is at stake for teamcaptain Angus Friend.
Maybe for Australia too ; there is still a very little chance to be the world champion of all nations.
In the picture ; Sagan won in his rainbow jersey this exact same race ( stage 2 Tour de Suisse 2018 ).
A good inspiration and extra motivation for Angus Friend.
Australia NT selection :
Angus Friend ( 31 ) Mlb
Keith Hunter ( 24 ) catapunchimpon
Peter Boit ( 24 ) Vitimper
Eric Kelly* ( 32 ) Antequera
John Battle ( 32 ) Antequera
Kent McClure ( 32 ) Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling
Vince Whisman ( 23 ) Luka_Warriors
Dylan Gilliam ( 32 ) Manicomicos_Cycling_Team
Jonny Glass ( 32 ) RemcoEvenpoelckx
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At least we can hopefully secure another race victory.
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At least we can hopefully secure another race victory.
That would be amazing, and hoping that at least there will be a victory is for sure an option.
But to expect at least a victory is perhaps something else.
Friend won 2 times a pure cobbles NT race.
Both times that was the CCCCC race to Fribourg ( seasons 12 and 13 ).
This different CCCCC race to Frauenfeld is 42km longer, and it was once before on the NT calender in season 11.
Back then Friend finished as 3º on 0:00" in a break away group of 3.
This season there are more rivals, because the nr1 (NL) and nr2 (GB) in the golden flat cobble ranking are 24yo.
And depending on how some rivals will do compared to previous NT race 6,
it migh be enough to secure the goal of the individual world championship if Friend does not win, but finishes as 2º or even 3º.
Of course, the best is to hope for at least a victory, to avoid an equal amount of points, then it will be a lottery who gets the jersey.
Let's hope the race ánd the tactics go perfectly, nothing is certain in NT races and sometimes anything can happen.
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edit ; I just see now that Rolf Harboe (DEN) won this NT race to Frauenfeld back in season 11.
And with his 2º place of previous race 6, he might be the very fierce main rival of Angus Friend.
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After a thrilling race ; 2º Angus Friend ( Mlb ) 8)
This means.........
But first congratulations to CC_Porco_Jones, the NT manager of Great Britain, with the very well deserved world championship !
Final podium in the season ranking =
1 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) 2.325 points
2 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) 1.940 points
3 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/portugal.jpg) 1.385 points
Australia scored many points, in some seasons enough to be the world champion.
But it was clear Great Britain was better this season.
The British 24yo Barry Brady won even the final NT race, although not really surprising because he was one of the top favorites.
And there were more 24yo's who did amazing in this final NT race, as you can see when you look at the race results.
In this fierce cobble-competition of many new top rivals, only Angus Friend kept his cool by 2 top results ( 1º + 2º ) in the final 2 races.
And this means he is the .... ( see picture ! ) with a mega big lead of 190 points towards the nr 2 in the individual ranking.
(https://i.imgur.com/O49qMx4.jpg)
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Angus Friend ( 31, Mlb ) is the individual world champion of season 14 !
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Season goals.
Battling for the individual world championship and battling for a podium place in the ranking by countries.
I have no idea if these season goals are possible or too ambitious (without a flat time trial).
Got the IWC and made the podium for countries ranking, so goals achieved.
Congrats!
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(https://media1.giphy.com/media/fwi2qY9VmH33uukTXr/giphy.gif)
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Thanks Kekipi and Franky. :) :)
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Congratz for the individual world champioship! Well deserved.
It has been really a nice competition, everything pending to be decided until the last stage.
GB really has a good gen, it's our 2nd win in the Nations ranking in a row.
But now I will change to another country, so I will be in other hands to continue this feud :)
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Thanks, and indeed, it was an exciting and fun battle this NT season. :)
Again congratulations with your great job as NT manager and the very well deserved world championship.
So you are changing countries ? Consider Australia ! 8)
You would be a great asset and more than welcome, Edu5.
The "welcome to Australia barbecue party" is famous, including the special gift* you receive after that party. :-* :))
*= https://cyclingforfun.org/smf/index.php?topic=672.msg23426#msg23426
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Great, a second (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/camiclasicas.jpg) going to Australia, and another podium. It'd be hard to find a better strategic manager than you Vos; most certainly a top five.
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Many thanks, AA. :) Although this NT season was with tactical ups and downs.
Indeed, the 2nd time an Australian cyclist won the individual NT championship. Your TT-specialist Richard Levin was the first in season 7.
Australia is in almost all rankings the best, and now a high position in the ranking of most individual NT world championships :
1. 3x (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/belgica.jpg) Pierre*** in s2, s9 and s10
2. 2x (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Levin in s7 and Friend in s14
3. 2x (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) Leonov in s12 and Meda in s13
4. 2x (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Blaak** in s6 and s8
5. 2x (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Arntsen in s3 and Fossum in s5
6. 1x (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/rusia.jpg) Travin in s11
7. 1x (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Ford in s4
8. 0x all other nations