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English Cff Forum => General Forum => Topic started by: Vos on January 14, 2022, 01:48:36 PM
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Have fun and good luck everyone in season 22 :)
(https://i.imgur.com/rETydWL.jpeg)
compared to previous season ; this season 22 has much more climb kilometers
Overview of previous season 21 =
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/1equipos.gif) Flyvende_hjul
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/2equipos.gif) Agua_Verde
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/3equipos.gif) SPORTLIFE
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/1indi.gif) Henriks Valdmanis ( KunTeam )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/2indi.gif) Serafim Gois ( Flyvende_hjul )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/3indi.gif) Lasse Rønneberg ( SPORTLIFE )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/copaq.jpg) Agua_Verde
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/copaq2.jpg) Plopsala
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/arcoiris.gif) Jakob Heijmans ( Agua_Verde )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/arcocrono.jpg) Walt Judd ( Matterhorn )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/giro.jpg) Pat Martin ( Flyvende_hjul )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/tour.jpg) Bogdan Bidonov ( °Peachy°Melocotons )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/vuelta.jpg) Tristan Min ( Flyvende_hjul )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/joven.gif) Rafael Olmo ( CC_Porco_Jones )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/camiclasicas.jpg) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( TeamEuroscalt )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) = NT WORLD CHAMPION ( SPORTLIFE )
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/27707822768c9c9c00789bdb852cbeae.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
This is not an impressive TDU selection. Even a silver cyclist is the teamcaptain, because I expect he can score the most points.
Nobody is good enough to score GC points, and nobody is good enough to get a top result in a stage.
Most likely a top 10 stage result will not happen, nevertheless, the TDU goal is to score as much stage-points as possible.
Good luck everyone ! :)
21 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Duncan ( 28 ), silver sprint
22 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/colombia.jpg) Clemente ( 34 ), hills-sprint
23 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/rusia.jpg) Makarov ( 33 ), TT
24 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Rubiera ( 30 ), hills
25 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/dinamarca.jpg) Hummelsby ( 31 ), cobble / bronze sprint helper
TDU stage 1 ;
12º Duncan
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TDU stage 2 ;
16º Makarov
TDU stage 3 ;
13º Duncan
22º Clemente ( free role )
A bit of a gamble that Duncan had just Hummelsby as helper, but he did great by returning in s2 and helping in s3 and s4.
What gave Clemente the opportunity to show his Colombian jersey by finishing in the front group.
The 34yo Clemente gets even the teamcaptain role in stage 4, as a kind of farewell present,
because despite his hope that he would go on training camp for Milan-Sanremo,
his manager decided to fire him after this TDU, due to a way too full team.
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TDU stage 4 ;
13º Clemente
TDU stage 5 ;
13º Rubiera
This not-impressive TDU selection did well with pretty decent stage results.
A total of 250 points is good of this not prepared team, but hopefully next season a much stronger SPORTLIFE in the Tour Down Under.
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Omloop het Nieuwsblad ;
13º Barrientos
Strade Bianche ;
3º Barrientos 8)
Excellent podiumplace in the ( according to me ) most beautiful classic race, see picture :
(https://i.imgur.com/3mBeFcu.jpg)
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/df924f77f10929a2904cfb2e4b350056.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
Christensen will be the teamcaptain, but it is uncertain if he can ride a good GC.
If he dissapoints, the back up strategy is ; stage results with Rubiera ( s21= 7ºAGR + 10ºLBL ) and Hummelsby ( s21= 2ºPR + 3ºWC ).
101 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Christensen ( 30 ), tour
102 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/dinamarca.jpg) Hummelsby ( 31 ), cobble
103 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Rubiera ( 30 ), hills
104 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Barrientos ( 32 ), cobblehills
105 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Meijer ( 28 ), hills
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Chrstensen came 18th in the GC for you. My GC riders could only manage 25th and 36th.
For Tirreno Adriatico I will be taking:
Kevin Luinge - Tour Rider
Maigonis Grasis - Tour Rider
Elliot Kitchens - Hills
James Bush - Hills
Stefan Juhl - Mountain/T-T
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Yep, this was not the tour of Christensen.
He dissapointed in the windy hillsclimb-stage 2 with a very bad result ; 48º on 1:41"
I thought he was riding in a pretty safe tactic with 1 EP in s1 and 3 EP in s2, but he could not follow the big s1 group of 91.
And in s2 still behind and even isolated (=tactical mistake), what probably caused he could not return in s3 to the front group of 73.
So, in s3 already 0:40" behind and just 8 EP left for the final 2 heavy sections, it was already clear he would perform badly.
Christensen lost his teamcaptain role due to this bad result, because with the upcoming stages, a final top 10 GC result was out of reach now.
Luckily SPORTLIFE had a back up strategy : :)
PN stage 3 ;
6º Rubiera
A good result, thanks to an excellent helpers job of Meijer.
PN stage 4 ;
9º Hummelsby
Ups, despite the tactics were adjusted to the storm, Hummelsby was isolated in the 2nd group till s4.
In s4 he finally met his helper who dropped out of the front group. Not a good race, he even finished on an embarrissing 0:24"
PN stage 5 ;
14º Rubiera
A much bigger s1 peleton as I expected. This FFFFH race went like = 189 - 190 - 183 - 150 - 11.
It is obvious that Rubiera could have raced this stage with using less energy.
Probably he was not the only one who wasted EP, because he is not a real flat-hills specialist and 14º is a decent result.
Paris-Nice final GC ;
18º Christensen 2:37"
Despite a very bad stage 2, and the last 3 stages in free roles, he squeezed a few GC points out of this little tour.
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/1d29f44d0e03d78eff360ca0987b1b20.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
The contrast with previous season cannot be bigger ;
Now just a few cyclists who can score stage points --- versus --- previous season a Tirreno GC victory.
This very bad Tirreno selection has even space for 2 climbers to gain experience.
There was even a last-minute-buy of a local Italian. Hopefully this 11k "investment" is worth it, and he scores a few points in stage 5.
121 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Rubiera ( 30 ), hills
122 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Meijer ( 28 ), hills
123 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/italia.jpg) Fornacciari ( 26 ), climb-TT
124 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/hungria.jpg) Szõnyi ( 26 ), xp
125 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/italia.jpg) Caneschi ( 24 ), xp
Tirreno stage 1 ;
16º Rubiera
The SPORTLIFE doctor decided to take Rubiera out of the Tirreno due to a nasty hemmorroid, the 38ºC in stage 1 made it worse.
Now this poor selection does not even have a teamcaptain anymore.
Now it is up to Meijer to score points in hills stage 4, without any support. And maybe a few climb TT points of the last-minute-buy.
The goal in stages 2 and 3 will be to enjoy the italian scenery. :)
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Tirreno stage 4, hills ;
25º Meijer
Ups, he finished with a sad face icon. :(
Tirreno stage 5, climb-TT ;
17º Fornacciari
30º Szõnyi
A few unexpected points of my Hungarian top climber. The local Italian performed well and was a good last-minute-buy.
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Unfortunately no SPORTLIFE contenders in Milano-Sanremo. But there was an excellent result in the next classic race :
E3 Harelbeke ;
8º Barrientos (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/incidencias/bombilla.png) --> the only lightbulb in this race. :)
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8abb6ca97e11114a4e4395f49de88023.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
SPORTLIFE had weak selections in the previous 3 little tours ; just 2x top 10 stage results ( 6º + 9º ) and just 30 GC points ( 18º ).
But I expect it will change in this Catalunya with a pretty strong selection.
Malin is fully prepared, but uncertain if he can achieve a top GC result, he is just silver and the GC competition is fierce.
Rønneberg is the Catalunya champion of previous season. And my 10 M buy of today, Arnau, is riding this little tour too.
Arnau might be used as extra helper, despite he is the 11th most expensive cyclist in SPORTLIFE history.
171 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/rusia.jpg) Malin ( 31 ), silver tour
172 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Rønneberg ( 32 ), tour
173 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Arnau ( 29 ), tour
174 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Meijer ( 28 ), hills
175 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/alemania.jpg) Kummer ( 31 ), climb
Good luck everyone ! :)
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James Bush came 4th in the first stage of Volta Catalunya ;D
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James Bush came 4th in the first stage of Volta Catalunya ;D
Good to see that there is someone that performs well with James Bush. ;)
I wish he did the same in the Australian NT. :-[ :))
Back to Catalunya ; James Bush finished as 5º in stage 2, and is now the split GC leader with Ryan Granaman ( Plopsala ).
Of course, just for fun this GC lead, because James Bush is not suited for the upcoming 3 stages.
It is now up to Grasis ( 2:07" ) or Luinge ( 2:34" ) to try to score some GC points for your team. Good luck !
Catalunya stage 1, hills ;
11º Meijer ( helper )
91º Malin 1:33"
Hmmm, s1 was good, but in s2 helper Meijer had also -1 EP compared to teamcaptain Malin, and suddenly Meijer was going too fast.
Without back up helpers, Malin was isolated the rest of the race, and that is not good.
Well, at least a very good result of Meijer despite his "helpers" role.
Catalunya stage 2, flathills ;
42º Malin 0:08"
This time a good job of Meijer who was the crucial s4 helper.
Mountain stage 3 and flat TT stage 4 will be crucial for the GC, in these both stages the real time differences will be made.
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Catalunya stage 3 ;
10º Malin 0:17"
My whole team had difficulties in the storm, and could not follow the s1 break away group of 39.
Even in flat s3 they were all in the 2nd group on already 0:44" behind the front group of 30.
Malin had a superb final climb in the last 2 sections, with as result that he has now something on his palmares for the very first time.
Free role cyclists Rønneberg ( 45º on 1:23" ) and Arnau ( 32º on 1:05" ) had less energy left for the final 2-sections-climb.
GC after 3 stages =
8º Malin 0:42"
21º Arnau 1:42"
23º Rønneberg 2:00"
The free role cyclists just outside the top 20. Arnau has a good time trial, probably he moves up after flat TT stage 4.
Malin is not good in TT, but also not very bad. I cannot estimate if he can hold on to his current GC position, it will depend on the GC rivals.
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Kirk Clinton is seeking victory in today's TT race, and maybe taking the race record away from Trump (who must have been 33 years old at the time of the record).
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Very nice stage victory of Kirk Clinton, AA, ánd in a new CFF record. 8)
No incidents to the SPORTLIFE cyclists in the time trial, and now the GC looks like this :
6º Malin 1:16"
13º Arnau 1:46"
25º Rønneberg 2:47"
What causes a dilemma in the upcoming final stage ;
Going for stage victory with Rønneberg ór going for GC results with Malin and Arnau ?
If Malin does not get the teamcaptain role, it is certain he drops out of the top 10 GC. But then again, a top 5 GC is impossible.
Well, whatever happens and whatever I decide, it is fun to highlight the 31yo Isa Malin :
The current top 29 GC have all a golden tour icon, with the exception of Malin, who was bought 11 days ago for just 151k. :)
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Catalunya stage 5 ;
2º Rønneberg ( teamcaptain ) 0:00"
25º Malin ( free role ) 0:34" --> as 1st of the big 2nd group of 38 cyclists.
33º Arnau ( helper ) 0:34"
Horrible results ! ! !
Rønneberg finished as best loser :(, what is not good enough, the strategy was all about the stage victory.
In retrospective ; the best option was to use him as a helper. And as expected, he finished just outside the top 20 GC.
Malin needed just a tiny little more luck to finish on 0:00" or he needed the teamcaptain role, then easily on 0:00"
And then he would have finished as 5º GC, but now a big drop to 10º GC. :(
Arnau had a rollercoaster ride as helper ; in s2 and s4 he had the same energy difference compared to his teamcaptain,
but in s2 he was going 11sec. too fast, and in the crucial s4 he was going 14sec. too slow. My strategy was based on his s4 help.
For sure Arnau wasted one EP in s2, so even in a (better) helpers role he could have finished on 0:00"
But he was not even needed as helper, because back up helper Kummer was also with the teamcaptain in flat s3.
In a free role Arnau easily would have finished on 0:00" and scored some stage points.
And then he would have finished 10º GC, but now a big drop to 19º GC. :(
Due to this strategic mess and horrible results, it is at least a few hundreds of unnecessary points loss, and that is a lot ! :-[
The only little comfort = probably the total team points do not matter this season. No 1A podium ambition and no relegation worries.
And WOW, I must write a book now with the title "how to mess up an entire little tour in just the final stage". :))
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Gent Wevelgem ;
21º Barrientos
Without TC bonus and without excellent tactics ; the wind ánd the competition was too hard for Barrientos in DDV ( 54º ) and RVV ( 49º ).
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/b7a5672a34004ea508e7287b01b4f61a.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
Hopefully not again a strategic mess like in Catalunya.
Because also in this Itzulia it is difficult to estimate who is the best GC teamcaptain.
At least now one choice less, because the cobblehills stage makes Malin not suited for the GC, he will be a helper.
171 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Arnau ( 29 ), tour
172 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Christensen ( 30 ), tour
173 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Rubiera ( 30 ), hills
174 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/rusia.jpg) Malin ( 31 ), hillsclimb
175 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/suiza.jpg) Gauch ( 30 ), cobblehills
Good luck everyone ! :)
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This morning the first 21yo makes it into the CFF u23 Dream Team :
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Emil Osland ( 21yo, SPORTLIFE ) 8)
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Itzulia stage 1, TT ;
28º Arnau 1:53"
Itzulia stage 2, climbhillsprint ;
14º Arnau 0:00"
An excellent helper's job of Christensen, but he was unlucky in s5 by finishing as 2nd of the 2nd group on 0:37"
Well, this makes my teamcaptain dilemma much easier, and now Arnau also will be the teamcaptain in the last 3 stages.
Itzulia stage 3, stormy cobblehills ;
71º Arnau 2:14"
Masterhelper Gauch did a good job in s1 + s2, but he was suddenly 9 sec. too fast in s3, and since then Arnau was isolated.
Free role Christensen had a very bad start due to a mechanical breakdown in s1. He even finished in the same time as Arnau.
In retrospective ; Christensen was better used as extra helper.
He will be in the last 2 stages, because his free role status ends after his unlucky stages 2 and 3.
Itzulia stage 4, climbhills ;
35º Arnau 0:39"
The SPORTLIFE-teamcaptain could not make it into the s1 break away group of 39 cyclists.
But he had good support in this race, only in s3 he was isolated, but Malin joined him again in s4, both in the 2nd group on 0:20"
The final section was very dissapointing and probably unlucky,
because helper Malin ( as first ) and teamcaptain Arnau ( as fourth ) finished in the front of the very big 4th group on 0:39"
They should have finished in the 3rd group and in the points, but now zero points and an unfortunate loss of 13 seconds to Arnau.
After 4 stages, Arnau is 7º GC on 1:02"
It seems to me that the top 6 is out of reach, so he has to try to defend his current 7º place.
What probably will be very difficult, or even too difficult, because he is just 3, 6, and 8 seconds ahead of the nrs 8º, 9º, and 10º
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Itzulia stage 5, hills ;
6º Rubiera ( free role )
123º Arnau 1:25"
A good race of Arnau + helper Malin, but it did not prevent a drop of 2 GC places.
Itzulia final GC ;
9º Arnau 1:02"
Paris Roubaix ;
5º Hummelsby 0:00"
25º Jameson ( helper )
The Australian helper did amazing, even in s4 he was with his teamcaptain in the front group of 31.
In the final s5 there were 7 cyclists who sprinted for victory, including not-favorite Hummelsby ( who could challenge 2 favorites ).
This 5º place is not bad, but of course he was going for the win, especially after his good results of previous season ; 2º PR and 3º WC.
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Amstel Gold Race ;
21º Rubiera
Flèche Wallonne ;
17º Rubiera
Bad results due to wrong tactical choices, and the fact that Meijer, without TC, is not good enough to be the important s4 helper.
The 30yo Rubiera has one more chance this evening in "La Doyenne" to try to finish in the top 10.
In previous season he was 10º, and his best LBL result is 8º in season 18.
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Liège–Bastogne–Liège ;
22º Rubiera
Certainly a bad hills classics campaign.
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/c61102f7ec06a98faff60612b2c41637.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
Christensen won the Tour de Romandie in previous season. Unfortunately he is not suited for this edition.
But I have difficulties to complete a full selection in this little tour, so, he is selected to try to score a few points in stage 5.
For lack of better, I even selected a bronze sprinter, recently bought for 2½k with just as purpose to complete level 2 World Challenge.
This does not mean my Romandie selection is of poor quality, because Beckham gives a big boost to the quality level.
Hopefully he does very well and can compete (a bit) with the amazing climbers selection of TeamEuroscalt in mountain stages 2 + 3.
181 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Beckham ( 26 ), climb
182 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Christensen ( 30 ), tour
183 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/hungria.jpg) Szõnyi ( 26 ), climb
184 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/italia.jpg) Caneschi ( 24 ), climb
185 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Myller ( 30 ), bronze sprint
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Romandie stage 2 ;
2º Beckham
26º Szõnyi ( helper who never helped, and finished with a mechanical breakdown )
Romandie stage 3 ;
2º Beckham
Romandie stage 4 ;
25º Myller ( helper in s1 and s2 )
Romandie stage 5 ;
16º Beckham
Twice 2º in the mountain stages is very good,
but Beckham was no match versus the supremacy of TeamEuroscalt ; 2 solo victories of climb legend Arnfinn Mikalsen.
Despite Beckham has just 9 TT ( 152º on 3:13" in stage 1 ) and cannot sprint ( 100º on 3:01" in stage 4 ), he surprised me in the GC.
Romandie final GC ;
10º Beckham 2:30"
Eschborn-Frankfurt ;
7º Rønneberg 0:00"
A bad race.
Main helper Arnau tried a risky tactic in an attempt to be the important s4 helper, but he already failed at the start and never returned.
Back up helper Christensen only did his job in s1, and could not return in s3 despite 4 EP. My mistake, I thought 4 EP was enough.
So, 5th favorite Rønneberg was already isolated in s2,
and having no s3 helper caused that he was in s4 in the 2nd group on 0:11" with a sleeping icon.
Too bad, because being in the s4 front group of 14 was at least needed to try to achieve his too ambitious goal to compete for victory.
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8ed052732fddd78a1b24c0eb2887c9f6.png)(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/images/EXLgwMA.png)selection OphiukoCT
11 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Sten Longva ( 27 ), tour
12 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) Mark Norwood ( 27 ), climb, tour (helper)
13 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) Silver Maasikmets ( 27 ), all-terrain (helper)
14 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Tigo Grein ( 27 ), hills, tour (helper)
15 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Joop Veneberg ( 22 ), cobble-hills-sprint (helper)
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8ed052732fddd78a1b24c0eb2887c9f6.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
141 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Rønneberg ( 32 ), tour
142 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Beckham ( 26 ), climb
143 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/alemania.jpg) Kummer ( 31 ), climb
144 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Myller ( 30 ), bronze sprint
145 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/dinamarca.jpg) Hummelsby ( 31 ), flat-cobble
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Just a stupid question that I'm wondering since I copied your template for the selection. Shouldn't your team numbers be 31 32 33 34 and 35, since your team made 4th on the GC last year?
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(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/3equipos.gif) 3. SPORTLIFE ( in previous season 21 )
I always give the backnumbers of the current 1A position.
Only in the TDU the backnumbers of the 1A ranking of previous season = 21, 22, 23, 24, 25.
My team was 15th in 1A before the Giro, so the teamcaptain gets nr 141.
It seems we have a Norwegian battle between our teamcaptains. :) Good luck !
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Giro stage 1, F^HF^HH ;
48º Rønneberg 0:51"
A bad race.
I did not select a hills-helper and Rønneberg wasted a lot of energy in s1 + s2, because the s3 group was enormous with 127 cyclists.
What had as advantage that ( to my big surprise ) the sprinter and the flatcobble specialist could return in s3 and do the helper's job.
But still, Rønneberg should have saved more energy for s5. Now an unnecessary time loss of at least 0:13" or probably 0:21"
If I knew in advance how this race would go, he could finish even 0:31" faster.
But after the race it is easy how the tactics should be, and I assume more GC contenders used too many energy in s1 and/or s2.
Giro stage 2, FMDMM, 1x wind ;
12º Kummer ( helper )
13º Beckham ( helper )
23º Rønneberg 2:25"
Again a bad race.
Rønneberg had 2 superhelpers at his disposal, who were riding in different helper's tactics so that at least one would be the s4 helper.
But a dissapointing s4 ; Kummer went suddenly 7 sec. too fast and Beckham was 21 sec. too slow.
The already in s4 isolated Rønneberg finished unlucky as 1st of a big group of 13, what is never good and costed 0:09"
But the real damage was done by the tactical mistake of not having the important s4 helper. Most likely this costed 0:43", that is a lot.
Giro stage 3, FFFFF ;
46º Rønneberg 0:23"
Best helper Myller had a complete off-day by a sudden s2 drop and he never returned.
Luckily back-up helper Hummeslby did a great job by keeping his teamcaptain in the front till s4,
and he finished together with Rønneberg in the 2nd group.
What is a decent, normal result to Rønneberg in a sprint race without wind.
Giro stage 4, FHHF^F, 1x wind ;
17º Rønneberg 0:20"
An excellent race, because he had to do it on his own.
Although he had unexpected help in s2 of Hummelsby, what might have been crucial to be ( isolated ) in the s3 front group of just 16.
He could hold on to the high pace of the front group in s4, where almost no cyclists returned ( now 17 in the s4 front group ).
And finishing in the middle of the big 2nd group is good, especially because he had no suited helpers for this stage.
But Rønneberg is good in "heavy-hills-sprint" stages, for example with a good helper he would have finished in the 2nd group easily.
Now, without good helper and with 1x wind, it was risky, but he did great and no unnecessary time loss.
Giro stage 5, FFMDM ;
6º Beckham ("helper")
12º Rønneberg 1:48"
Unfortunately masterhelper Beckham was going too fast in s3, and stayed one group ahead in s4 + s5.
But Rønneberg was not isolated, because back-up masterhelper Kummer did a good job in s3 + s4.
So, it was a good race, although with an unlucky finish because Rønneberg finished as 1st of a big group, what costed 0:25"
Rønneberg is now 3º GC on 0:59", what looks good, but I assume not good enough because he fears stages 6 + 9 + 10.
And too much unnecessary time loss ( a total of - 1:29" ) in the first half of this Giro, due to bad luck and tactical mistakes.
Maybe my worries are unjustified if he can limit the damage in the windy flat-cobblehills stage 6,
ánd if he rides an amazing windy sprint stage 7 + an amazing mountain stage 8.
But for now, I estimate that he cannot win the Giro and that he only had a chance if everything would go perfectly.
What was for sure not the case in stages 1 + 2 + 5 ; way too much total time loss in this Giro so far.
Hopefully Rønneberg can still achieve his secondary Giro goal = a 539k sponsordeal of top 4 GC. But he fears the many GC rivals with TT.
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8ed052732fddd78a1b24c0eb2887c9f6.png) TOP 20 GC, after 5 stages :
1(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/jerseys/jersey_pink.png)(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/pt.png) Serafim Gois 32 Flyvende_hjul 0: 00"
2 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/pt.png) Lucio Queiros 31 FaltososDeChigre 0: 52"
3 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Lasse Rønneberg 32 SPORTLIFE 0: 59"
- - - - - - - - - -
4 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) Gustave Gloor 30 Turrones 1: 14"
5 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/de.png) Thies Neuhaus 26 QuintoYtapa 1: 22"
6 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Tor Steine 25 ValeronIdolo 1: 24"
7 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Aad De Jong 27 Bikeos 1: 44"
8 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ru.png) Servais Yarkin 31 HTCHungria 2: 26"
9 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/fr.png) Ferdinand Tajan 29 ValeronIdolo 2: 43"
10 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Sten Longva 27 OphiukoCT 2: 48"
- - - - - - - - - -
11 Dean Chester 28 Marcatone_Due 3: 20"
12 Daniel Alejandro Viñas 30 Fiestina 3: 24"
13 Arnfinn Mikalsen 32 TeamEuroscalt 3: 25"
14 Lukas Streller 28 Matterhorn 3: 27"
15 Bud Dixon 28 Codex 3: 47"
16 Henriks Valdmanis 32 KunTeam 3: 48"
17 Pat Martin 31 Flyvende_hjul 4: 05"
18 Alexey Ryazanov 33 RealMurciaCycling 4: 21"
19 Armen Huaco 32 KunTeam 4: 27"
20 Simone Conti 28 Shiro_Lions 4: 54"
stage winners :
stage 1 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/es.png) Jorge Javier Cabeza ( 29, Thorboassonarvesen )
stage 2 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( 32, TeamEuroscalt )
stage 3 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Jacco VanSwieten ( 27, Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling )
stage 4 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Marten Smeets ( 26, Villavante )
stage 5 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( 32, TeamEuroscalt )
-
Giro stage 6, FFF^FC^^, 2x wind ;
24º Hummelsby ( helper )
47º Rønneberg 1:22"
A good s1 start and s2 was also good. But in s3 a drop to the 2nd group of Rønneberg and his helper Hummelsby.
And it really went wrong in s4 ; despite Hummelsby was riding in the same pace as his teamcaptain in s2, s3 and s4,
suddenly Rønneberg could not follow him anymore in s4.
Bad luck in s4, or maybe Rønneberg was lucky in the sections before by barely keeping his wheel,
or maybe it was the wind, because the 2nd group decreased from 54 (in s3) to 5 (in s4) and got 3 sec. closer to the front group.
Anyway, without the important s4 helper this was not a good race, but also not a very bad race because I expected more time loss.
Rønneberg dropped 1 place to 4º GC, ánd lost time, because now a big gap of more than 1 minute towards the top 3 GC.
Giro stage 7, FFFFF, 2x wind ;
30º Myller ( helper )
32º Rønneberg 0:20"
Very good race.
Still 4º GC, but Rønneberg gets closer ; now on 0:47" and just 10 seconds behind the nr 3.
Due to the sponsordeal of top 4 GC ; also good that there is now a nice gap of 54 seconds towards the nr 5.
But it is still too soon to estimate where Rønneberg will end up in the GC.
The upcoming queens stage in the mountains will be very important, and the last 2 TT stages are decisive too.
-
Giro stage 8, MMDMM ;
14º Beckham ( helper )
15º Kummer ( helper )
26º Rønneberg 2:45"
Both masterhelpers did an excellent helper's job by staying with their teamcaptain in s1, s2, s3 and s4.
Only in s5 Rønneberg could not follow them.
But it was a good result and he finished 0:22" and 0:34" better than the (now former) nrs 1 and 2 GC.
Gois did amazing in this queens-stage ( 7º on 1:50" ), moved up 2 places and takes back the GC lead that he lost in stage 7.
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8ed052732fddd78a1b24c0eb2887c9f6.png) TOP 20 GC, after 8 stages :
1(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/jerseys/jersey_pink.png)(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/pt.png) Serafim Gois 32 Flyvende_hjul 0: 00"
2 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/pt.png) Lucio Queiros 31 FaltososDeChigre 0: 39"
3 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) Gustave Gloor 30 Turrones 1: 01"
- - - - - - - - - -
4 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Lasse Rønneberg 32 SPORTLIFE 1: 05"
5 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Tor Steine 25 ValeronIdolo 1: 45"
6 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/de.png) Thies Neuhaus 26 QuintoYtapa 1: 58"
7 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Aad De Jong 27 Bikeos 2: 32"
8 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ru.png) Servais Yarkin 31 HTCHungria 3: 21"
9 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Sten Longva 27 OphiukoCT 3: 55"
10 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) Lukas Streller 28 Matterhorn 4: 06"
- - - - - - - - - -
11 Daniel Alejandro Viñas 30 Fiestina 5: 14"
12 Ferdinand Tajan 29 ValeronIdolo 5: 23"
13 Arnfinn Mikalsen 32 TeamEuroscalt 5: 29"
14 Dean Chester 28 Marcatone_Due 6: 11"
15 Henriks Valdmanis 32 KunTeam 6: 21"
16 Alexey Ryazanov 33 RealMurciaCycling 6: 24"
17 Bud Dixon 28 Codex 7: 06"
18 Lex Fentener 31 Kelme4ever 7: 11"
19 Pat Martin 31 Flyvende_hjul 8: 05"
20 Rigoberto Ortega 27 Fiestina 8: 20"
stage winners :
stage 1 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/es.png) Jorge Javier Cabeza ( 29, Thorboassonarvesen )
stage 2 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( 32, TeamEuroscalt )
stage 3 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Jacco VanSwieten ( 27, Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling )
stage 4 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Marten Smeets ( 26, Villavante )
stage 5 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( 32, TeamEuroscalt )
stage 6 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/de.png) Hans-Detlef Weisser ( 30, Thorboassonarvesen )
stage 7 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Jacco VanSwieten ( 27, Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling )
stage 8 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( 32, TeamEuroscalt )
-
Giro stage 9, TT-FFFFH 36km ;
43º Rønneberg 1:35"
Giro stage 10, TT-FFFFF 31km ;
52º Rønneberg 2:30"
A dissapointing Giro ; due to too many tactical mistakes and too much bad luck, this was a missed opportunity to win the pink jersey.
And even the consolation goal was not achieved ; Rønneberg missed the top 4 GC sponsordeal by just 3 seconds.
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8ed052732fddd78a1b24c0eb2887c9f6.png) Final TOP 20 GC :
1(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/jerseys/jersey_pink.png)(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Tor Steine 25 ValeronIdolo 0: 00"
2 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) Gustave Gloor 30 Turrones 0: 16"
3 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/pt.png) Serafim Gois 32 Flyvende_hjul 0: 22"
- - - - - - - - - -
4 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/de.png) Thies Neuhaus 26 QuintoYtapa 0: 42"
5 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Lasse Rønneberg 32 SPORTLIFE 0: 45"
6 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/pt.png) Lucio Queiros 31 FaltososDeChigre 1: 10"
7 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Aad De Jong 27 Bikeos 1: 10"
8 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ru.png) Servais Yarkin 31 HTCHungria 1: 25"
9 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) Lukas Streller 28 Matterhorn 3: 11"
10 (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Sten Longva 27 OphiukoCT 3: 57"
- - - - - - - - - -
11 Bud Dixon 28 Codex 4: 47"
12 Daniel Alejandro Viñas 30 Fiestina 4: 49"
13 Henriks Valdmanis 32 KunTeam 5: 18"
14 Alexey Ryazanov 33 RealMurciaCycling 5: 39"
15 Ferdinand Tajan 29 ValeronIdolo 5: 44"
16 Lex Fentener 31 Kelme4ever 6: 27"
17 Dean Chester 28 Marcatone_Due 6: 34"
18 Pat Martin 31 Flyvende_hjul 6: 58"
19 Rigoberto Ortega 27 Fiestina 8: 21"
20 Arnfinn Mikalsen 32 TeamEuroscalt 8: 26"
stage winners :
stage 1 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/es.png) Jorge Javier Cabeza ( 29, Thorboassonarvesen )
stage 2 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( 32, TeamEuroscalt )
stage 3 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Jacco VanSwieten ( 27, Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling )
stage 4 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Marten Smeets ( 26, Villavante )
stage 5 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( 32, TeamEuroscalt )
stage 6 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/de.png) Hans-Detlef Weisser ( 30, Thorboassonarvesen )
stage 7 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/nl.png) Jacco VanSwieten ( 27, Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling )
stage 8 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/no.png) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( 32, TeamEuroscalt )
stage 9 = (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/gb.png) Daniel Harris ( 26, Elgrand )
stage 10= (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/au.png) Nobby Licuria ( 29, Aurora_Australis )
-
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/191b5bdfdfade94930708639639a8727.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
111 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Rønneberg ( 32 ), tour
112 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/alemania.jpg) Kummer ( 31 ), climb
113 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Beckham ( 26 ), climb
114 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Rubiera ( 30 ), hills
115 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Meijer ( 28 ), hills
Good luck everyone ! :)
-
Dauphiné, stage 1 ;
4º Rønneberg
Dauphiné, stage 2 ;
2º Kummer
Dauphiné, stage 3 ;
1º Kummer --> solo victory ! 8)
-
Probably a bad idea to make Rønneberg the teamcaptain in the last 2 hills stages,
to see if he can achieve a top 10 GC result despite 2x free roles in the mountain stages, what costed a lot of time.
Instead, I should have chosen for stage results with my hills specialists, especially because my tactics sucked in stages 4 and 5.
Dauphiné stage 4 ;
Rønneberg was already isolated in section 2, because his 2 helpers were riding too slow. Rønneberg finished just outside the points.
Dauphiné stage 5 ;
Rønneberg was already isolated in section 3. This time his 2 helpers were riding too fast, but at least they scored some stage points.
16º Meijer ("helper")
29º Rubiera ("helper")
Dauphiné final GC ;
12º Rønneberg 2:47"
Despite the final 2 bad stages and the GC result with 2x free roles, this was a successful Dauphiné.
Because in stage 3, Kummer defeated climb legend Arnfinn Mikalsen, and also nice, this was the first victory of my team this season.
-
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8e2fd4d4ee620c3f1192c94b40da9db9.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
To Arnau this TdS is more a preparation for the Tour de France, because this little tour has no TT stage and that is the strenght of Arnau.
Hopefully he can ride a decent GC anyway ( top10 would be excellent ), but there is a chance that he will get a free role in stage 4.
In mountain stage 4 Szõnyi might be the teamcaptain who goes for victory, with possibly only Beckham as helper.
Because maybe the 24yo Caneschi gets a free role in stage 4, due to his triple active weather icons***.
81 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Arnau ( 29 ), tour
82 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/hungria.jpg) Szõnyi ( 26 ), climb
83 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Christensen ( 30 ), tour
84 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Beckham ( 26 ), climb
85 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/italia.jpg) Caneschi ( 24 ), climb
Good luck everyone ! :)
-
TdS, stage 2 ;
6º Szõnyi ( free role )
14º Beckham ( free role )
25º Arnau ( teamcaptain )
TdS, stage 4 ;
1º Szõnyi --> victory ! 8)
23º Beckham ( helper )
Arnau was the teamcaptain in the other 3 stages, where the helpers tactics were not good.
But despite these tactical failures ánd the free role in mountain stage 4, his current GC position =
12º Arnau 3:05"
-
TdS, stage 5 ;
8º Arnau
14º Beckham ( free role )
24º Szõnyi ( helper )
Tour de Suisse, final GC ;
11º Arnau 3:05"
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/ec365cb5b403c66bf9212fc15b3d4289.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
61 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Arnau ( 29 ), tour
62 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/hungria.jpg) Szõnyi ( 26 ), climb
63 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Rønneberg ( 32 ), tour
64 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/suiza.jpg) Gauch ( 30 ), cobblehills
65 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/letonia.jpg) Vilks ( 28 ), silver sprint
Good luck everyone ! :)
-
Not a good Tour de France at all, too many tactical mistakes and too much bad luck, and therefore a dissapointing final GC result.
TdF stage 1, sprint ;
12º Vilks ("helper")
35º Rønneberg ( free role ) 0:20"
83º Arnau ( teamcaptain ) 1:14"
The sprint helper started too fast, but Arnau had a back up helper in s1 + s2.
But already isolated in s3 and finishing on 1:14" is not good, too much time loss.
In contrast to Arnau, free role Rønneberg was riding a good sprint stage.
TdF stage 2, climb-sprint ;
18º Rønneberg ( free role ) 0:30" :-[
20º Arnau ( teamcaptain ) 0:30" :-[
First favorite Rønneberg came over the finishline celebrating and cheering,
till someone told him that he won the sprint of the 2nd group instead of the sprint for stage victory.
Big tactical mistakes, and even dumb, because I should have known better. For sure both could have finished on 0:00" easily.
TdF stage 3, flatcobble-sprint ;
85º Arnau ( teamcaptain ) 1:52"
122º Rønneberg ( free role ) 2:59"
Perfect help of masterhelper Gauch.
TdF stage 4, cobblehills ;
10º Gauch ( free role )
54º Arnau ( teamcaptain ) 1:46"
91º Rønneberg ( free role ) 2:25"
Arnau was isolated the whole race because helper Vilks was simply not good enough ; one group behind Arnau in s1, s2, and s3.
TdF stage 5, hills ;
26º Arnau ( teamcaptain ) 0:27"
32º Rønneberg ( free role ) 0:31"
Arnau had good help in all sections, despite masterhelper Gauch failed, but Vilks surprised a lot by being the s4 helper.
Still, maybe the tactics were a bit too conservative and it was possible to finish a few seconds better.
TdF stage 6, mountains ;
2º Szõnyi ( free role ) 0:00"
29º Arnau ( teamcaptain ) 1:27" --> as first of a big group, this unlucky cut costed him - 0:29"
51º Rønneberg ( free role ) 2:14" --> as first of a big group, this unlucky cut costed him - 0:19"
In retrospective, bad strategic choices.
I should have sacrificed Rønneberg as helper, or even better due to bad GC rankings, Szõnyi should have been the teamcaptain.
TdF stage 7, sprint ;
25º Vilks ( helper ) 0:00"
67º Rønneberg ( free role ) 1:51"
89º Arnau ( teamcaptain ) 1:51"
Vilks was doing a good job in s1 and s2, but in s3 both my tour cyclists could not follow him and dropped to the 2nd group.
Rønneberg had a complete off-day, his result sucks compared to sprint stage 1 where he finished on 0:20"
Probably caused by a mechanical breakdown, but I cannot remember and I cannot see that anymore.
TdF stage 8, TT-HFFMM ;
3º Arnau 0:08"
30º Rønneberg 0:51"
Excellent result of Arnau, and promising due to the TdF (with 3x TT stages) of next season that should go much better than this TdF.
TdF stage 9, mountains ;
3º Szõnyi ( free role ) 0:11"
23º Arnau ( teamcaptain ) 1:44"
62º Rønneberg ( helper ) 3:17"
It was certainly not a genius tactical move to make Rønneberg the helper, he only helped in s1, instead of the expected first 3 sections.
Again a podiumplace of Szõnyi in a free role, in contrast to my GC contenders, he does not dissapoint in this TdF.
TdF stage 10, TT-FFHHF ;
6º Gauch
13º Arnau 0:39"
40º Rønneberg 1:13"
A surprising good result of Gauch.
Again a mechanical breakdown in s5 of Rønneberg, most likely he had it too in s5 of stage 9, but I'm not entire certain about stage 9.
But this bad luck s5 finish in stage 10 is very appropiate to this TdF of Rønneberg, and most likely caused a drop of one GC place.
Tour de France, final GC ;
12º Arnau 3:59" :-[
20º Rønneberg 8:32" :-[
The goal was to achieve the 1 M sponsordeal of top 6 GC.
So, that will be a job for next season to the now 29yo Arnau.
I already told him that if he fails again, then he will be sold for 1,- :))
- - - - -
Clasica San Sebastian ;
19º Rønneberg :-[
Ups, a tactical mistake that he was isolated in the s3 front group.
What was not even the worst that went wrong, because Rønneberg had a mechanical breakdown in the crucial mountain s4.
-
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/d3b3b3dd456bf24faf1cea8cfca6c56d.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
Let's see what my possible( ? ) GC contenders can do in this little tour.
Both were bought this season, but their purchase amounts look not very promising ; Gauch 520k and Granberg 321k.
61 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/suiza.jpg) Gauch ( 30 ), GC ?
62 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Granberg ( 29 ), GC ?
63 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/dinamarca.jpg) Hummelsby ( 31 ), flat-cobble
64 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Rubiera ( 30 ), hills
65 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/letonia.jpg) Vilks ( 28 ), silver sprint
Good luck everyone ! :)
-
BBT stage 1, flat-TT ;
21º Gauch 1:42"
38º Granberg 2:05"
BBT stage 2, flat-hills ;
34º Granberg ( free role ) 1:03"
38º Gauch ( teamcaptain ) 1:03"
Unfortunately both could not follow the s1 front peleton of 40.
Granberg did very well, but Gauch dissapointed a little bit, despite he had masterhelper Rubiera who got 5x hand symbols.
GC after 2 stages ;
8º Gauch 0:55"
11º Granberg 1:19"
Granberg lost less time as expected in stages 1 + 2. Now it is a tricky choice who will be the teamcaptain / who can ride a better GC.
Gauch cannot sprint, but he is much better in flatcobble stage 5 than Granberg.
Granberg has a decent sprint skill, and I estimate that he has a bronze icon on flatcobble, what might limit the time loss in stage 5.
But Gauch is 0:24" ahead, although he is riding with 99 form versus the 100 form of Granberg.
Probably I will make the wrong strategic choice now, because that seems to be my standard in this bad season full of mistakes. :)
-
I vote for Granberg!
-
The decisive vote ;), because of the sprint stage it seems better to switch to Granberg.
-
BBT stage 3, hills ;
25º Rubiera ( helper ) 0:43" --> with 5x hand symbols.
28º Granberg ( teamcaptain ) 0:43"
52º Gauch ( free role ) 1:07"
A good race, and now both have the same time in the GC ;
8º Granberg 1:11"
9º Gauch 1:11"
-
BBT stage 4, sprint ;
30º Vilks ( helper ) 0:53"
40º Granberg ( teamcaptain ) 0:53"
The race ( with 1x wind ) went like this = 53 - 35 - 49 - 27 - 17.
It was made very hard by Fiestina in s1 and by LottoStelvio in s2.
But helpers Hummelsby and Vilks did great jobs by keeping Granberg in the front groups of the first 3 sections.
My team could not keep up with the pace acceleration in s4, and dropped to the 2nd group on 0:37"
Vilks and Granberg finished in the 3rd group. A relative good result, because this stage was a battlefield for many GC contenders.
Granberg moved up to 3º GC :) ( and still on 1:11" ).
My other "GC contender" Gauch was very unfortunate in this sprint stage.
His full power start was not good enough, and it seemed that he was unlucky a few times by just missing the cut.
In a free role he finished as first of a very big group = 156º on 3:49" ( ! )
What is even in the same time as his teammate Rubiera, who had a helpers role and has many GV points less in this sprint stage.
As leader ( and with less bad luck ), Gauch should do minutes better, but it was a very good decision to switch to Granberg as teamcaptain.
Gauch even dropped to place 44º GC on 4:07" what is 1:04" behind the top 20 GC.
-
Playing this game is relative and insignificant, and even more today, because war criminal Putin decided to start a war in Europa.
So, this needs to be mentioned first ; my heart and support goes out to the Ukraine people.
(https://i.imgur.com/tN9NmHD.jpg)
- - - - - - - - - -
BBT stage 5 ;
17º Hummelsby ( helper )
53º Granberg ( teamcaptain ) 1:24"
64º Gauch ("helper") 2:11"
Not a good race, because Gauch was too slow, and Hummelsby only helped in s1 + s2, after that too fast.
The tactics should have been better in this BBT, including the strategic mistake that Granberg had a free role in stage 2.
What makes it certain that this is a missed opportunity to win the BBT, because ;
BBT final GC = 2º Granberg 0:24"
Gauch ( 21º ) and Hummelsby ( 22º ) came 0:07" and 0:11" short of scoring a few GC points.
Also missed opportunities, and in retrospective ; much more was possible in this BBT as I expected.
On the bright side ; 2º is by far the best GC result ever in the BinckBank Tour.
Till now the BBT was the tour with the worst GC results ; in the past just 6x top 10 GC = 9º, 9º, 8º, 10º, 8º, 10º.
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/c8892128eff206aeb674bcc6880a73a6.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
41 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Christensen ( 30 ), tour
42 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Beckham ( 26 ), climb
43 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/hungria.jpg) Szõnyi ( 26 ), climb
44 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/italia.jpg) Caneschi ( 24 ), climb
45 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Meijer ( 28 ), hills
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Vuelta stage 1, hills-TT 23km ( 2x wind ) ;
44º Christensen 1:28"
With a mechanical breakdown in s2.
Vuelta stage 2, C^MDMC^ 280 km ( 1x wind ) ;
11º Christensen 0:43"
Unfortunately all his teammates could not help somewhere with 55200. Christensen even got a sleeping icon in dh s3.
And his result is a bit dissapointing, probably 0:14" faster was possible, even in an isolated race.
Vuelta stage 3, flat-TT 52km ;
46º Christensen 2:37"
Vuelta stage 4, CCCFF ( storm ! ) ;
46º Christensen 2:02"
Most likely a strategic mistake not to select a helper for this stage.
Christensen had to do it on his own, and finishing one group better ( easily, due to a helper ) is already a difference of 0:23"
Vuelta stage 5, flat-climb ( 1x wind ) ;
12º Christensen 0:32"
25º Beckham ( free role )
Ups, a tactical mistake of at least 0:11" or possible even more.
Because Christensen was isolated the whole race, ánd had bad luck in s5 by just missing the cut, he finished as 1st of a group of 10.
I hoped that Meijer and Caneschi could help, but their 5 EP start was too slow.
And I expected that Szõnyi would help, but what I thought was a risk-free start of 4 EP, appeared to be not good enough.
Free role Beckham scored way less extra points than I expected, and with wisdom after the race, of course he should have been a helper.
Halfway the Vuelta, Christensen is 8º GC on 1:38"
And early in this season, I accepted a top 7 GC Vuelta sponsordeal.
Perhaps it will be my 3rd big tour GC sponsordeal that I'm not going to achieve this season. I guess that I suck in big tour tactics. :))
Hopefully the 2nd half of the Vuelta goes better, and Christensen can move up one GC place. But very uncertain if he is capable to do that.
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Vuelta stage 6, MDMDM ( storm ! ) ;
10º Christensen ( teamcaptain ) 0:41" --> finished with lightbulb ! 8)
11º Caneschi ( helper ) 0:41" --> perfect helpers job !
16º Beckham ( free role )
18º Szõnyi ( free role )
The risky free role tactics were bad, both started too slow, could not return due to the storm, with as consequence bad results.
In contrast to the teamcaptain-helper-combo, they did amazing in this stage 6.
Vuelta stage 7, mountains ;
6º Caneschi ( free role ) --> mechanical breakdown in s3
8º Beckham ( free role )
17º Szõnyi ( helper )
28º Christensen ( teamcaptain ) 1:50"
Masterhelper Szõnyi went too slow in s2, but he returned in s4 to his teamcaptain.
Still, not a great race, because Christensen could or should finish one group better, what is a big time difference of 33 seconds better.
With 3 more stages to go, Christensen is 5º GC on 1:23"
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Vuelta stage 8, MDHHM ;
16º Christensen 0:36"
I assumed that he would be isolated in s3, but unxpectedly helper Caneschi was with Christensen in the s3 front peleton of 42.
Vuelta stage 9, hills ;
11º Meijer ( helper ) 0:21" --> excellent helper's job with 5x hands symbols.
19º Christensen 0:38" --> finished with lightbulb ! :)
Christensen is now 4º GC on 1:13"
The top 3 GC is out of reach, and I assume that he drops one place. But it is looking good that he will achieve the top 7 GC sponsordeal.
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Vuelta stage 10, hills ;
12º Meijer ( helper )
55º Christensen 1:10"
Suddenly Christensen lost contact with Meijer in s4, despite Meijer was riding minus 1 EP in s2, s3, ánd s4, compared to his teamcaptain.
Vuelta final GC ;
5º Christensen 1:17"
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This is officially the hardest season to avoid relegation in 1st div. Previous record was on season 3, where the 30th team made 4732points, and the 31st made 4593. Both have already been beaten, and it looks like it will go over 5000. It seems like Aurora_Australis already saved it with the TT WC, probably just by 52 points as it is likely that the cut will be on TeamEuroscalt (5150 points). Tonight's market could come with surprises. Good luck to all the candidates!
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Fortunately my guy most likely to take over from Christian Pocock (Billy Janson) didn't need to get into race mode and the other four guys got enough points. I knew it was getting high, but I hadn't realised how many points were needed until the day prior because I went to my casual job on the weekend & floods stopped me from getting home (I got home Tuesday evening).