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English Cff Forum => General Forum => Topic started by: Vos on September 19, 2022, 12:39:59 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/hDDXesr.jpg)
Season 27 ; world championship climb race in Colombia ( Duitama WC )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/montanaoro.jpg) previous winners Duitama WC ;
season 18 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Arnfinn Mikalsen ( TeamEuroscalt )
season 9 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/francia.jpg) Valentin Crouzel ( SPORTLIFE )
season 7 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) Peeter Toode ( Codex )
season 5 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) Ibragim Palachev ( Oska )
season 2 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Carl Martinussen ( Flyvende_hjul )
Have fun & good luck everyone in season 27 ! :)
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Overview of previous season 26 =
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/1equipos.gif) OphiukoCT
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/2equipos.gif) CobbleCrushers
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/3equipos.gif) LottoStelvio
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/1indi.gif) Ludovic Vetsch ( CobbleCrushers )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/2indi.gif) Daumants Simsons ( OphiukoCT )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/3indi.gif) Dada Azarov ( CaptainOrange )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/copaq.jpg) meloneros
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/copaq2.jpg) CaptainOrange
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/arcoiris.gif) Jacco VanSwieten ( Yvo_Meppelink_ProCycling )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/arcocrono.jpg) Gregor Arzdorf ( °Peachy°Melocotons )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/giro.jpg) Daumants Simsons ( OphiukoCT )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/tour.jpg) Dada Azarov ( CaptainOrange )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/vuelta.jpg) Pier Zannotti ( Flandria )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/joven.gif) no u23 cyclists scored points
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/camiclasicas.jpg) Gustave Andros ( Elgrand & (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/flags/small/ch.png) NT manager Quickstepbronx )
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) = NT WORLD CHAMPION ( OphiukoCT & all managers with Australian top cyclists )
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In the Pro Continental Tour our aim this season is to promote to World Tour level with our newly developed youngsters. It's the only thing left after losing the first cup round to Sportlife...
And we have started great in the (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Tour_Down_Under_UCI_World_Tour_logo.svg/1200px-Tour_Down_Under_UCI_World_Tour_logo.svg.png)
Rein Verspuij does not lose time in any of the 5 stages, wins the GC, wins the 4th stage and is 2nd in the 2nd stage. We are already number one in the tables:
1º Combuijs 1229 1 1 0
2º Facha_Bartolo 1002 1 1 1
3º Lugnanese 961 0 1 0
4º Hero_cycling 897 0 0 1
5º LOSRAYOSDELARRY 880 2 0 0
6º SanJose 848 0 0 0
We will try to stay there, which should be possible with some cobble hill classics on the agenda and a Tour-en-bas like Paris - Nice.
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It's the only thing left after losing the first cup round to Sportlife...
Sorry mate ;D
Although you did great with your just bronze climber Alves
who finished just on 0:09" from one of the best CFF specialists in this MMFFM race.
And talking about doing great ;
congratulations with the very impressive TDU victory ( 1½ minute ahead of the nr2 GC ) of your just 24yo Rein Verspuij, 8)
ánd the Omloop victory of your also just 24yo Hernan Santander. 8)
The rumor goes that all 1A managers are already worried by seeing such great results of a team that most likely promotes this season.
At SPORTLIFE a not impressive start, as expected.
My unprepared, not in topform TDU selection scored just 87 points ; :-[
Udod finished as 19º and 22º in the hills stages.
And silver flat sprinter Pahapill had a tactical fiasco in s2 of stage 1, but scored points in stages 3 and 5 by finishing as 24º and 23º.
My new expensive 31yo buy of yesterday scored many more points( 110 ) what caused that my team is out of the relegation zone now :
Omloop het Nieuwsblad ;
16º Kaarnamets 0:37"
Not bad considering that he had only help in s1 and s2, not in topform, and a director with just 2 on one-day-races.
Strade Bianche should suit him more, but there he has no help at all.
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Strade Bianche ;
7º Kaarnamets 0:16"
Excellent result. 8)
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/df924f77f10929a2904cfb2e4b350056.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
Actually this PN selection is not worth mentioning, because just like the TDU selection, it is not strong.
But I mention it anyway, just for fun. :)
Probably I can expect a little bit more than in the Tour Down Under, because 4 out of the 5 are in topform now.
Only Boyar uses this PN to ride in form for the next little tours.
He gets the nr 1 backnumber, but the PN goal is to score stage points, so probably he will not be the teamcaptain in most stages.
Pahapill is going to ride his last race for my team. He has bids and will be sold after stage 1, in order to create space in my too full team.
191 (https://i.imgur.com/xavQvw5.png) Boyar ( 32 ), tour
192 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) Udod ( 31 ), hills
193 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Reigersman ( 32 ), climbhills
194 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) Pahapill ( 30 ), sprint
195 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Ekkelboom ( 25 ), hills
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Two wins by Hernan Santander, both in (https://wiewintdekoers.be/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/OMPLOO_HET_NIEUWSBLAD.png) as in the (https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/83123153_2965665483477731_8697617668447928320_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=174925&_nc_ohc=5cp3YQzOlJkAX8f1lyy&_nc_ht=scontent-ams2-1.xx&oh=00_AT8TlvfxoVpnCfSoeAcmDYOCJ85-thohLP2aSipZ0IZZjQ&oe=635377B5). In the last race we had all our 5 riders in the top 15.
Rein Verspuij is our leader in (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/df924f77f10929a2904cfb2e4b350056.png), which he proved to be the right choice for the time being as he won the second stage.
League tables:
1º Combuijs 3396 4 1 0
2º Hero_cycling 2514 0 1 2
3º LOSRAYOSDELARRY 2156 3 0 0
4º AleAle 2072 0 1 2
5º CajaRuralZamora 1575 1 1 1
6º SanJose 1570 0 0 0
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To my surprise, Paris-Nice is going amazing for my team. :)
stage 1, sprint ;
9º Pahapill 0:00"
Magnificient result of this silver sprinter who had no TC and as expected only help in s1. A nice farewell because he was sold after this stage.
stage 2, flat-hills ( 2x wind ) ;
10º Udod 0:03"
Very good result thanks to helper Ekkelboom.
stage 3, hills ( 1x wind ) ;
8º Udod 0:15"
Again a very good result, despite Ekkelboom failed as helper and already dropped in s3.
stage 4, climbhills ( 3x wind ) ;
1º Boyar 0:00" --> victory ! 8)
A very unexpected and splendid win of my not in topform tour cyclist, who could not challenge any favorites with his hill-skill of 79.
The excellent help of Reigersboom was needed, and also the storm was crucial ; Boyar and Reigersboom had active weather icons.
This is how the stormy race went / who were in the front per section = 6 ( R+B ), 10 ( R+B ), 25 ( U+R+B ), 2 ( B ), 5 ( B ).
The original plan was that Reigersman would be the teamcaptain in stage 4, because he is in topform.
But I decided to change it, for the, ( i.m.o. before the race ), small chance that Boyar had, to score a few GC points.
Boyar was very far behind in the GC due to his 3x free roles,
and besides the very unexpected victory, also the current GC is very surprising to me ;
5º Boyar 2:38"
9º Udod 2:55"
Not just of Boyar surprising, but also of Udod who cannot sprint at all and was used as extra helper in stage 4 with 54300.
I expect that Udod will drop out of the top20 GC, but Boyar has a good chance now to score a nice amount of GC points.
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In (https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/df924f77f10929a2904cfb2e4b350056.png) Rein Verspuij was 2nd in the 3rd stage and 2nd in the GC. The tour was decided however in stage 4 where Hero Cycling Tom Averkamp took 1m40 on Rein. Let's also mention helper Josef Geesink who finished 7th in the GC.
1 Tom Averkamp 31 Hero_cycling 0: 00" 500 150000
2 Rein Verspuij 24 Combuijs 0: 31" 400 135000
3 Bill Perry 28 KunTeam 1: 43" 325 120000
7 Josef Geesink 24 Combuijs 2: 42" 200 60000
League table:
1º Combuijs 4311 4 2 0
2º Hero_cycling 3461 1 1 2
3º LOSRAYOSDELARRY 2644 4 0 2
4º AleAle 2387 0 1 2
5º CajaRuralZamora 2105 1 1 2
6º Lugnanese 2071 0 1 0
In the (https://fastly.jwwb.nl/public/r/i/f/temp-piholnorgkaizkgevowc/tirrenoadriatico.jpg) our tour riders can show if they are a match for the other teams in mountaineous tours. We will start with
1. Noah Gesink (no family): GC, stage 3
2. Wieslaw Beckmann: general helper
3. Adam Hoogvliet: stage 5, possibly 4
4. Gilles Nerval: stage 1
5. Hernan Santander: helper
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PN stage 5, hill-sprint ( 1x wind ) ;
86º Boyar ( teamcaptain ) 1:32"
98º Udod ( free role ) 1:32"
A very unlucky race of Boyar, on top of that he finished with a mechanical breakdown, what for sure costed him two GC places.
This bad luck was compensated with an incredible lucky race of Udod, who even finished in the same time as Boyar.
Both scored GC points, something that I did not expect before this tour started.
Paris Nice, final GC ;
9º Boyar 3:06"
16º Udod 3:22"
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/1d29f44d0e03d78eff360ca0987b1b20.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
Boyar is in topform now, and he is going to try to achieve a top GC result.
In the end of previous season Mattei was bought from 1A champion OphiukoCT, and now he makes his debut for my team.
High expection of Mattei in the stormy stage 3, where he should be the 2nd favorite behind Georgiev ( MarquinaTeam ).
But it is doubtfull if Mattei will be the stage 3 teamcaptain, instead of GC contender Boyar.
My two young Australian TT specialists are also selected ; they need the xp and both should score points in stage 1.
Masschelein is not in topform in this whole Tirreno, despite this, he needs to perform because he is thé only real helper of Boyar.
101 (https://i.imgur.com/xavQvw5.png) Boyar ( 32 ), tour
102 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/alemania.jpg) Mattei ( 32 ), flat-climb
103 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Hunter ( 25 ), TT
104 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Herd ( 24 ), TT
105 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/belgica.jpg) Masschelein ( 31 ), tour
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Tirreno stage 1, TT 22km ( 1x wind ) ;
17º Hunter 0:22"
20º Herd 0:29"
66º Boyar 2:18"
Tirreno stage 2, FFMHH ( 1x wind ) ;
8º Boyar 0:15"
Tirreno stage 3, flatclimb ( storm !!! ) ;
2º Boyar 0:00"
3º Mattei ( helper ) 0:12"
Amazing results ! 8)
My guess was wrong that Mattei would be the 2nd fav. ; he was just the 5th fav. and could not even challenge the 1st fav.
What made my strategic choice easy in who would be the teamcaptain in this stage 3.
Due to the storm and that helper Masschelein is not in topform yet, I decided to use Mattei as supermasterhelper.
What caused that I could take more tactical risk with Boyar, although in hinside Masschelein was also in the s4 front group of 44.
But Mattei could help full-power in s5 ( and even finished solo as 3º himself ),
and in s5 he launched his teamcaptain superhard who had a very strong 5 EP, what was a risky tactical gamble due to the storm.
Also risky due to his stats, for example Boyar vs Mattei :o :))= - 3 climb, - 17 flat, - 11 stamina, - 61 teamwork ( and + 22 xp ).
Boyar moved up to 3º GC on 0:11"
But it is all still very close in the GC and uncertain if a top GC result is possible with 2 more stages to ( hills-sprint and flat-hills ).
Hopefully Boyar will be good enough to battle for his best GC result ever ; he never finished in the top 4 GC of a tour.
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Tirreno stage 4, hills-sprint ( 1x wind ) ;
35º Boyar 0:30"
Thanks to help of Misschelein, Boyar returned to the front in s3. And even stayed there in s4 despite his helper dropped.
I'm very satisfied with this result of finishing in the little 2nd group of nrs 28 to 36.
In the GC no change for Boyar, still 3º GC on 0:12", what is excellent because this stage 4 he feared the most.
Behind Boyar it changed a bit in the GC, because several GC rivals finished in the 3rd group on 0:48", and maybe a few even further behind.
The chance of scoring a top GC result is increased a lot after this stage 4.
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Tirreno stage 5, flathills ( 1x wind ) ;
31º Boyar 0:55"
Tirreno Adriatico, final GC ;
2º Boyar 0:24"
The best GC result in his career. :)
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Unfortunately no SPORTLIFE contenders in Milano Sanremo and E3Harelbeke, what caused a drop in 1A from place 7 to place 11.
So, time to score points in the Volta a Catalunya :
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8abb6ca97e11114a4e4395f49de88023.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
101 (https://i.imgur.com/xavQvw5.png) Boyar ( 32 ), tour
102 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/alemania.jpg) Mattei ( 32 ), flat-climb
103 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) Milne ( 31 ), tour
104 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) Lewis ( 28 ), climb-TT
105 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Osland ( 26 ), climb-TT
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Catalunya stage 1, hill-sprint ( 1x wind ) ;
67º Milne ( helper ) 0:32"
77º Boyar ( teamcaptain ) 0:55"
Very bad race due to wrong tactics and/ or that Boyar had a complete off-day.
Unexpectedly, he lost contact with his helper in hill-section 2.
And to my surprise the "back-up tactic" did not work also ; Boyar could not return to the big s3 peleton of 71.
The not in topform helper Milne stayed in the front, also in s4, and despite 0 EP in s5, he even finished one group ahead of Boyar.
That the SPORTLIFE teamcaptain finished in the 3rd group, that seems to me a certain unnecessary loss of 0:22"
Well, after such a bad stage, there is a sudden opportunity to go for a stage victory in the next stage,
because that was the plan when I bought Mattei ; at least one stage victory out of the 2 chances ( TIR stage 3 and CAT stage 2 ).
Catalunya stage 2, flat-climb ( storm !!! ) ;
2º Mattei ( teamcaptain ) 0:00"
9º Boyar ( free role ) 0:34"
2nd is not good enough for 2nd favorite Mattei, it is even a dissapointing result.
Caused by that Masschelein suddenly dropped in s3 despite I used a "no risk helpers tactic" by using all his 12 EP in the flat sections.
The victory of 3rd fav. Frol ( JGMTeam ) is fully deserved, because he had still an amazing helper in s4, the to me wellknown Stu Vaughn.
I could have used Boyar as helper, but according to my strategic choice, that was too much of a sacrifice.
He did pretty well in a free role, but lost time compared to the situation where he would have had Mattei as masterhelper.
Only a victory of Mattei was worth it to take another time loss with GC contender Boyar.
Well, no guts no glory, hopefully such a strategic choice will go better somewhere in the future.
Catalunya stage 3, climb-TT ;
2º Lewis 0:11"
4º Osland 0:13"
17º Boyar 0:39"
22º Milne 0:44"
Excellent results.
But a few hours after this stage 3, there was dissapointment ;
Lewis and Osland, they both had a positive covid test, and will get a DNS in stage 4.
GC after 3 stages ;
4º Boyar 0:24" --> with unnecessary time loss of at least 0:43", maybe more.
9º Milne 1:38" --> not in topform and in all helper roles, and in stage 2 even with a 0 EP mountainfinish.
Very remarkable how high ranked Boyar and Milne are at the moment.
But with an abandon percentage of 40% in my team + Boyar and Milne are very bad on the cobblestones =
not much hope on good final GC results.
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8abb6ca97e11114a4e4395f49de88023.png)
Final GC ;
7º Boyar 1:31"
9º Milne 2:12"
Nice GC results, and much better as I expected.
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The (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/bc/Tirreno%E2%80%93Adriatico_logo.svg/1200px-Tirreno%E2%80%93Adriatico_logo.svg.png) proved we can compete in mountaineous tours as well. In the GC Noah Gesink finished just outside the podium on 1:27 from winner Tom Averkamp. Wieslaw Beckmann ends up on place 15 as a helper. The time trial was won by Gilles Nerval and Adam Hoogvliet wins the last stage.
In (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0f/Milan%E2%80%93San_Remo_logo.svg/250px-Milan%E2%80%93San_Remo_logo.svg.png) it became clear that Rein Verspuij is a good rider but not a specialist sprinter, he finished 9th.
Hernan Santander wins the (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2b/E3_Harelbeke_logo.svg/200px-E3_Harelbeke_logo.svg.png). We had 5 riders in the top 16, we really dominate the cobble hill classics so far.
In the (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Logotip_Volta_Ciclista_a_Catalunya.png/220px-Logotip_Volta_Ciclista_a_Catalunya.png) Wieslaw Beckmann managed to win the tour in last stage, beating Hero Cycling Gianni Mori with 47 seconds. He also was third in the 3rd stage to Lo Port. In the time trial on the Montjuich Mauro Alves became third. That final stage was also a great success because Rein Verspuij won his third victory this season.
Hernan Santander wins his 4th victory in (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/00/Gent%E2%80%93Wevelgem_logo.svg/220px-Gent%E2%80%93Wevelgem_logo.svg.png). Not that difficult with 3 team mates in the first group of 12.
Pro Continental Tour standings:
1º Combuijs 9138 9 2 2
2º Hero_cycling 7845 2 3 3
3º LOSRAYOSDELARRY 5372 4 2 4
4º AleAle 4672 1 1 2
5º Lugnanese 4654 0 4 2
6º SanJose 4410 0 1 0
It seems we are on our way to the World Tour. But first we will do the (https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-1/166744370_3769636709782444_7663134358502310422_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p148x148&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=1eb0c7&_nc_ohc=83ZPjmfDlkgAX_3SEET&_nc_ht=scontent-ams2-1.xx&oh=00_AT89d4AaRUoNu7uMy59XOI0YXuas4oU_s8ZblMwuqpgCTQ&oe=635EA868) where our Claudio Passacantilli is favourite and then we will be up in the rain in the (https://cdn.touretappe.nl/images/ronde-van-het-baskenland/logo.png) with:
1. Liam Fletcher (GC, 3rd and 5th stage)
2. Mauro Alves (general helper)
3. Gilles Nerval (4th stage)
4. Claudio Passacantilli (1st and 2nd stage, perhaps the GC)
5. Tigo Seedorf (helper for hills)
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Gent Wevelgem ( 2x wind ) ;
22º Kaarnamets 0:55"
Dwars door Vlaanderen ( 1x wind ) ;
7º Kaarnamets 0:17"
Ronde van Vlaanderen ;
12º Kaarnamets 0:24"
Excellent results considering that I failed to buy a helper, and Kaarnamets had to do it on his own.
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/b7a5672a34004ea508e7287b01b4f61a.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
(https://i.imgur.com/RdaotRL.jpeg)
Klaas Reigersman, born in Volendam, gets the backnumber 1 because he has 2 suited stages, although he has bad support.
The objective in this Itzulia is simpel ; stage points with 4 out of my 5 selected cyclists.
71 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Reigersman ( 32 ), climbhills
72 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) Udod ( 31 ), hills
73 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) Kaarnamets ( 31 ), cobblehills
74 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Herd ( 24 ), TT
75 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/holanda.jpg) Ekkelboom ( 25 ), hills
Itzulia stage 1, hills ;
3º Udod 0:04"
Very nice for someone who had no s4 helper and could not challenge any favorites. He even finished 0:14" ahead of the nr 4.
But it seems that Udod likes this specific hills stage, because he won this exact same stage in previous season, to my big surprise.
The only victory and the only 3º podiumplace that Udod achieved in my team.
On his palmares is just one other podiumplace, also 3º, and achieved in Catalunya, back in season 21, riding for Plopsala.
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Itzulia stage 2, cobblehills ;
9º Kaarnamets 0:24"
Very good "solo" race.
Now it is up to my Volendammer in stage 3 who has no support either.
Hopefully he does not start to sing, because then I predict that he will be isolated from all cyclists of other teams as well. :)
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Itzulia stage 3, climbhills ;
9º Reigersman 0:13" --> with mechanical breakdown in the crucial final section 5.
Itzulia stage 4, flat-TT ;
11º Herd 0:22"
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Itzulia stage 5, climbhills ( 1x wind ) ;
18º Reigersman 0:10"
Itzulia, final GC ;
15º Udod 2:43" --> a few unexpected GC points.
21º Reigersman 3:20" --> almost surprising GC points, he came 0:09" short, in retrospective, due to 2 crucial mechanical breakdowns.
Paris Roubaix ( 2x wind ) ;
21º Kaarnamets 0:45"
I did not expect that he was good enough to score points in a flat-cobble race, so, it is an excellent result and even without help.
Unfortunately his 5 EP in s4 was not good enough to follow due to his low race GV, but the tactics( based on the wind ) paid off. :)
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Amstel Gold Race ( 1x wind ) ;
6º Udod 0:04"
30º Ekkelboom ( helper ) 0:36"
Great result ! :)
It might have even been more great, if Udod was not suddenly in the s4 breakaway group of just 3.
I rather had that he was in the s4 second group of 14 cyclists on just 0:04", because helper Ekkelboom was in that group.
Flèche Wallonne ;
17º Udod 0:19"
Wrong tactical choices and a bad result.
Liège–Bastogne–Liège ;
14º Udod 0:14"
Again Ekkelboom was not good enough to be the s4 helper, and Udod needed such a helper to finish top10.
For example just like in previous season, where to my surprise Ekkelboom did help in s4 and caused that Udod finished 6º in LBL.
But back then the other 2 classic hills races were not good.
So, this season is about the same = again 1x 6º ( now in AGR, instead of LBL in s26 ) and 2x outside the top 10.
My expectations were higher ; the goal was 3x top 10 with Udod ( despite he was far from the favorites as nr 69 in the CFF hills ranking ).
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/c61102f7ec06a98faff60612b2c41637.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
71 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/belgica.jpg) Masschelein ( 31 ), tour
72 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Osland ( 26 ), climb-TT
73 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) Lewis ( 28 ), climb
74 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/portugal.jpg) Vasconcelos ( 30 ), climb-sprint
75 (https://i.imgur.com/xavQvw5.png) Boyar ( 32 ), tour
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Romandie stage 1, climbsprint ( 1x wind ) ;
2º Masschelein 0:00"
5º Vasconcelos ( masterhelper, 3rd favorite ) 0:00"
14º Boyar ( free role ) 0:00"
Romandie stage 2, climb-TT ( 1x wind ) ;
1º Osland 0:00" --> victory ! 8)
2º Lewis 0:23" --> with mechanical breakdown in s3
26º Masschelein 1:06"
48º Boyar 1:18" --> with mechanical breakdown in s2
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Romandie stage 3, mountains ( 3x wind ) ;
4º Lewis ( free role ) 0:27"
22º Masschelein 1:41"
Not a good race, because helpers Boyar and Osland dropped in downhill s2, and Masschelein was isolated the rest of the race.
Romandie stage 4, heavy-hills-sprint ( 1x wind ) ;
33º Masschelein 0:31"
Finishing in the second group is a great result ! Especially, because ( as expected ) Boyar could only help in s1 and s2.
Romandie stage 5, flat-sprint ;
95º Masschelein 1:45"
The start was fierce with a s1 front peleton of just 45 cyclists.
And that is a too fast pace, so the combo Masschelein - Boyar started in the second peleton.
Boyar did better as expected and could help in s1, s2 ánd s3.
In s4 Masschelein was still in the second peleton and due to missing the important s4 helper, he finished in the 4th group.
Tour de Romandie, final GC =
4º Masschelein 1:39"
15º Boyar 4:22"
Unexpected extra points of Boyar, who sacrificed his GC with 1x free role and 3x helper's roles, incl. 0 EP mountainfinish in stage 3.
Although he was not a very good helper in this little tour, and his teamcaptain ended up with a big time gap towards the nr 5 GC.
In retrospective, it would have been a better strategic choice if Boyar was riding all stages in free roles.
But this is easy to notice after a tour, before this tour it was obvious that the teamcaptain needed as much help as possible.
And with result, because this is by far the best GC result ever in the career of Masschelein. :)
Who had nothing on his palmares when I bought him at the start of previous season 26.
And in my team he was just once a GC teamcaptain in that season ; 9º Vuelta.
This season the Giro is the main goal of Masschelein, a big tour that suits him less good as this Romandie.
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Claudio Passacantilli won both (https://www.procyclingstats.com/images/logo/bn/aq/dwars-door-vlaanderen-we.png) and the(https://sportgeschiedenis.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RVV-Logo.jpg) and all our riders were in the top 15. We really dominated the cobble hill classics.
The (https://itzulia-women.eus/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Itzulia_Logo_Negro_Edicio%CC%81n_Women2022-01-1200x849.png.webp) was outstanding. Liam Fletcher finished 4th in the GC, with an honourable mention for helper Mauro Alves on place 15. There were however 3 stage wins: Claudio Passacantilli won the first two stages. He apparently does not mind wether the hills are cobbled or not. Gilles Nerval won the time trial.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/db/Paris%E2%80%93Roubaix_logo.svg/250px-Paris%E2%80%93Roubaix_logo.svg.png) gave us a 4th place for Albeiro Valdes which started a series of non-podium places.
In the hill classics we had Rein Verspuij on 4th place in the (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Amstel_Gold_Race_logo.svg/250px-Amstel_Gold_Race_logo.svg.png) and Tigo Seedorf on 7th place in (https://cdn.touretappe.nl/images/waalse-pijl/logo.png)
In (https://www.liege-bastogne-liege.be/img/global/logo.png) Rein Verspuij finished 4th.
In the (https://scontent-ams2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-1/269928061_288464229985879_6056235279833964025_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p200x200&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c6021c&_nc_ohc=GkTpYJAmobUAX9WeKzi&_nc_ht=scontent-ams2-1.xx&oh=00_AT_-Sixx5oGkeM6oJVeJq9UhSNY9b4ZaQGA5h-zFNv77nQ&oe=6346DA59) our leader Wieslaw Beckmann was 6nd in the GC. Helpers Ernst van Koningsbrugge and Mauro Alves were 11th and 12th. Best stage results were 4th in the first stage by Wieslaw and 6th in the mountain time trial by Mauro.
Pro Continental Tour standings:
1º Combuijs 15121 13 3 2
2º Hero_cycling 14470 3 4 5
3º LOSRAYOSDELARRY 11666 5 7 7
4º KunTeam 7867 7 4 0
5º AleAle 7601 1 1 4
6º SanJose 7557 0 1 2
First place might be difficult with Hero Cycling closing up on us and probably getting closer in (https://cdn.virtualtraining.eu/logos/challenges/2022-04-21-Eschborn-Frankfurt-Challenge-badge_raw.png). We have set our mind on the (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Giro_d%27Italia_-_Logo_2018.svg/512px-Giro_d%27Italia_-_Logo_2018.svg.png) with:
1. Noah Gesink (GC)
2. Liam Fletcher (general helper)
3. Ernest van Koningsbrugge (general helper)
4. Sándor Takács (8th and 9th stage)
5. Isaias Valderrama (hill helper)
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Eschborn-Frankfurt ( 2x wind ) ;
8º Masschelein ( teamcaptain ) 0:21"
9º Boyar ( free role ) 0:21"
Hmmm, the total result is not bad at all. But it was not a good race,
probably because their manager seemed not in form, and also the team director with 1 on one-day races was not very helpfull.
(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8ed052732fddd78a1b24c0eb2887c9f6.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
Masschelein is the GC contender.
And just like in Romandie, he does not have good support, because Boyar is the main- and often only ( semi- )helper.
Hopefully Masschelein is still good enough to achieve the ½ million sponsordeal of top 10 GC.
I could have selected better helpers, but I estimate that Masschelein is not good enough to compete for the GC victory.
If I estimate this wrong, it is a huge mistake, because winning a big tour is thé main CFF goal of SPORTLIFE.
Now the strategy of this Giro selection is to try to get the most points out of this big tour,
this includes that Masschelein will be the teamcaptain in all stages, because of his expected GC points.
41 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/belgica.jpg) Masschelein ( 31 ), tour
42 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) Lewis ( 28 ), climb
43 (https://i.imgur.com/xavQvw5.png) Boyar ( 32 ), tour
44 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/noruega.jpg) Osland ( 26 ), climb-TT
45 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Hunter ( 25 ), TT
Giro stage 1, FMDMH ;
20º Masschelein 0:29"
21º Boyar ( free role ) 0:29"
A strategic mistake, because I thought that helper Lewis was good enough to return in dh s3 with using many EP's there,
so it would be a good opportunity for Boyar to score some extra points. What he did in a free role.
But my thought was wrong, Lewis could not return to his teamcaptain in dh s3,
with as consequence that Masschelein had probably 15 seconds unnecessary time loss compared to if Boyar was a helper too.
Giro stage 2, flat TT 29 km ;
11º Hunter 0:24"
23º Osland 1:38"
63º Masschelein 2:33"
73º Boyar 2:47"
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The team director.
Interesting...
That reminds me I forgot something...
Thank you!
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And apparently we were lacking a marketing manager as well, likely due to retirement. Having 19 stores that really did make a difference >:(
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Giro stage 3, sprint ;
48º Masschelein 0:52"
55º Boyar ( free role ) 0:52"
A doubtfull strategic choice before this stage, to give Boyar a free role.
What automatically had as consequence that teamcaptain Masschelein was isolated the whole race.
But the chance was big that Boyar could not follow in s1 as helper despite using 5 EP,
and even if he could, he would for sure not be good enough to be the s4 helper.
Boyar surprised in a free role, somehow he could follow the front peleton till s4, and he even finished in the same group as Masschelein.
What is very, very remarkable due to the minus 1 EP difference in s5, ánd the very big sprint GV difference.
I guess Boyar was very lucky, and Masschelein was unlucky to finish as 2nd of a group, one group sooner was 28 seconds faster.
If Masschelein would have had a good sprint helper, he would have finished easily in that much faster second group on 0:24"
Giro stage 4, TT- FFHFF 41,5 km ;
13º Hunter 0:40"
44º Masschelein 1:31"
59º Boyar 1:45"
Nice in this TT = top 3 entirely Australian, and 5 Australians in the top 6, and Hunter was just the 7th Australian with his 13º place.
Giro stage 5, mountains ;
3º Lewis ( free role ) 0:00"
26º Masschelein 1:03"
45º Boyar ( free role ) 1:55"
Almost a stage victory with a not-favorite in a free role, but of course an excellent result to finish in the front group of just 4 cyclists.
It was up to Osland to be the important only helper, but he failed already in s2,
and despite a better climb GV as his teamcaptain, he never returned, and I expected that he would be a s4 helper.
The result of teamcaptain Masschelein is not bad, but with better help he would have finished at least 0:11" sooner, and maybe more.
Boyar dissapointed in a free role and a bit unlucky to finish as 2nd of a group ; one group sooner is already a difference of 0:31"
So far I did not sacrifice Boyar yet, but in the second half of the Giro he will be the helper of Masschelein.
And the only helper, because the others are not good enough to help, not even in one section of the remaining stages.
Halfway the Giro it is clear that Masschelein had no chance at all to win this Giro, what I estimated and expected.
And it seems he really has to battle to achieve his top 10 GC goal, with as bonus a sponsordeal of a ½ million.
GC after 5 stages ;
9º Masschelein 3:11"
15º Boyar 4:30"
Certainly it adds up in the "unnecessary" time loss because of my strategic choice that Masschelein has no good support ;
15 + 28 + 11 = at least a total of minus 0:54" and then Masschelein would have been 8º on 2:17"
That is just one place higher at the moment, but maybe this almost minute loss has bigger consequences in the final GC.
I expect that Boyar drops out of the final top 20 GC due to his upcoming 4x helper roles, what should keep Masschelein in the top 10.
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Giro stage 6, FHFHM ( 1x wind ) ;
10º Masschelein 0:28"
Not a good result and at least 11 seconds time loss due to not having a helper in s3 ( ánd in s4, his helper should be good enough ).
Because very unexpectedly, helper Boyar dropped suddenly in flat s3 despite using EP ánd an active weather icon ánd a very good race GV ;
in fact, Boyar had even the CFF record in this Giro stage, what is broken today by stage winner Gofman ( Innioraths ).
In his speciality, Boyar dropped 6 places in the GC and already now outside the top 20 GC.
He is riding a very weird Giro, from supergood races ( stages 1 + 3 ) to superbad races ( stages 5 + 6 ), and all in topform.
Now Masschelein scored less stage points as expected, but he moved up one place and is now 8º GC on 3:22"
The ½ million sponsordeal (= top 10 GC ) seems still within reach, despite fear for stage 8 because Masschelein has a very low cobbleskill.
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Giro stage 7, hills sprint ;
21º Masschelein 0:22"
Finishing in the 2nd group is an excellent result, and he even scored a few unexpected stage points.
Boyar was used as a "2-sections-helper" in a 55200, because he is not good enough to help in s3 as well.
He did a good job, what probably was very needed because the s3 front group had just 27 cyclists, incl. the isolated Masschelein.
Masschelein is still 8º GC, but now on 2:51"
so, he won time compared to some other GC contenders, including the nr 11º who is now far behind on more than 2 minutes.
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The new season 28 calendar is published today. 8)
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Interesting Tour de France. A GT rider with no hills could easily win it.
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Giro stage 8, FF^C^C^C^ 202 km ;
88º Masschelein 2:01"
A great start, the SPORTLIFE teamcaptain could follow the big breakaway group of just 33 cyclists in s1.
But despite his active weather icon and despite his teamcaptain bonus,
Masschelein was one of the few, or maybe even the only one, who dropped out of that front group, that had still 33 cyclists in s2.
And it was a very big drop in time from s1 to s2, because the peleton was already 0:42" behind in s2.
Well, at least he met in s2 his helper Boyar, who started too slow.
Boyar did a great job in s3, but unfortunately he was just 0:04" behind Masschelein in s4, who now did not get the important bonus in s5.
Giro stage 9, hills ( 1x wind ) ;
22º Masschelein 0:39"
A very good race and an excellent result. Thanks to helper Boyar who did a great job in the first 3 sections.
Masschelein is still 8º GC, and now on 2:19"
Far behind the top 6 GC, who are all within one minute of GC leader Azarov ( CaptainOrange ).
But the nr 11º GC is on 4:18", what is 2 minutes behind Masschelein, so, the top 10 GC goal / sponsordeal is already secured. 8)
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Giro stage 10, climb-TT = FMMMM 12 km ;
3º Osland 0:06" --> with mechanical breakdown in s2
10º Lewis 0:26"
44º Masschelein 1:04"
48º Boyar 1:08"
Giro d'Italia, final GC ;
9º Masschelein 3:20"
19º Boyar 7:24"
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/191b5bdfdfade94930708639639a8727.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
51 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) Milne ( 31 ), tour
52 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Beckham ( 31 ), climb
53 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/portugal.jpg) Vasconcelos ( 30 ), silver climb & bronze sprint
54 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/belgica.jpg) Masschelein ( 31 ), tour
55 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/francia.jpg) Morel ( 22 ), silver sprint
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Dauphiné, stage 1, time trial 35 km ;
45º Milne 2:23"
62º Masschelein 2:50" --> with mechanical breakdown in the important s5.
Dauphiné, stage 2, sprint ;
19º Morel 0:00"
39º Milne ( free role ) 1:12"
It is doubtfull if my strategic decision to go for Morel as teamcaptain, is the right choice, the future will tell.
But great to see that he finished in the points with 99/100 and a sprint skill of just 83, that still has to be trained a lot.
However, almost 2 months ago I bought him with an extreme low sprint skill and at least he is getting the right training in my team.
To GC contender Milne my strategic decision could be a loss of 36 seconds,
because as teamcaptain in very good tactics, and maybe with a little bit of luck, he should have been able to finish in the 2nd group.
Dauphiné, stage 3, hills ;
71º Milne 1:30"
Not a good tactical race, because already in s3 helper Masschelein dropped from his teamcaptain, what was two sections too soon.
I estimate that Milne could have done 21 seconds better if he had a s4 helper.
Dauphiné, stage 4, MFFMF ( 3x wind !!! ) ;
1º Vasconcelos 0:00" --> victory ! 8)
7º Milne ( free role ) 0:00"
15º Beckham ( helper ) 0:48"
Buying Vasconcelos in previous season for just 123k, was an excellent investment. :)
Dauphiné, stage 5, mountains ( 1x wind ) ;
2º Beckham ( free role ) 0:00"
14º Milne 0:59"
Again an amazing race ! !
A top result in a free role of Beckham, who was not even a favorite.
And Milne did great, thanks to a superb helper's role of Vasconcelos who had EP left to launch his teamcaptain hard into brutal climb s5.
Dauphiné, final GC ;
6º Milne 1:37"
17º Masschelein 5:10"
Unexpected GC points of Masschelein, who was not riding a lucky tour in free roles, and even once used as helper.
Milne could have finished on the podium as 3º if I add up his "unnecessary" time losses in stages 2 + 3.
But maybe unfair to look at it in this way, because it can happen that stage 3 went not very well,
and besides this, stage 5 went amazing and there he did much better as expected.
So, probably I should only look at his 36 seconds "loss" in stage 2, what is not even a certain "loss" if he was the teamcaptain there,
but let's assume he did, 36 seconds better in the GC would have been 4º.
At least it is good to know that Milne could not win this Dauphiné if he was the teamcaptain in all stages.
Otherwise my "stage 2 experiment" would have been a too big sacrifice.
Nice to see that my team moved up to 3º in division 1A. :)
But the nrs 2 to 6 are extreme close in points ( far behind 1A leader JGMTeam ),
and even the nrs 7 and 8 are not far away from the current nr 2.
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/8e2fd4d4ee620c3f1192c94b40da9db9.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
21 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) Milne ( 31 ), tour
22 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/portugal.jpg) Vasconcelos ( 30 ), silver climb & bronze sprint
23 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) Kaarnamets ( 31 ), cobblehills
24 (https://i.imgur.com/xavQvw5.png) Boyar ( 32 ), tour
25 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Beckham ( 31 ), climb
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Suisse, stage 1, MDMDF ;
1º Vasconcelos 0:00" --> victory ! 8) --> (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/incidencias/tools.png) and he even finished with a mechanical breakdown.
6º Milne ( free role ) 0:00"
12º Boyar ( free role ) 0:00"
15º Beckham ( helper ) 0:00"
A superb helper's job of the American champion, what caused that 3rd favorite Vasconcelos could save a lot of energy for the final s5.
What in hinside was needed, due to the mechanical breakdown in s5.
This picture as a tribute to his splendid victory :
(https://i.imgur.com/q45Y7nc.jpg)
Maria Vasconcelos ; born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Suisse, stage 2, heavy-hills-sprint ( 1x wind ) ;
24º Milne 0:22"
Despite suddenly already isolated in flat s3, finishing in the 2nd group is a very good result.
Suisse, stage 3, time trial ( 1x wind ) ;
30º Milne 2:13"
Suisse, stage 4, hills ( 1x wind ) ;
80º Milne 1:29"
Not a good result because his masterhelper Kaarnamets lost contact with his teamcaptain in s2, and returned too late in s5.
At the moment Milne is 5º GC on 0:46", but he is bad in the final stage. Hopefully not a too big drop in the GC.
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Suisse, stage 5, CCHHC^ ;
5º Kaarnamets ( free role ) 0:15"
68º Milne 2:05"
Excellent result of my Estonian cobblehills specialist.
And my GC teamcaptain lost less time as expected and dropped just one GC place.
Tour de Suisse, final GC ;
6º Milne 0:56"
20º Boyar 2:54"
I did not expect that Boyar could score GC points. He was selected as extra back up for Milne, ánd for extra free role points in stage 1.
But nice that he scored 10 extra GC points, despite finishing as 100º on 2:45" in stage 5, what was most likely his last race for my team.
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/ec365cb5b403c66bf9212fc15b3d4289.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
The TdF goal is a top 6 GC sponsordeal of a dazzling 1.246.696,- and hopefully Milne is good enough to achieve this.
His recent GC results are promising ; 6º Dauphiné and 6º Suisse. And in the Tour de France of previous season also a 6º place.
I guess it will be close, and he really has to battle for it. But it seems that he likes to finish as 6º GC and hopefully he does that again.
11 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/inglaterra.jpg) Milne ( 31 ), tour
12 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/usa.jpg) Beckham ( 31 ), climb
13 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Hunter ( 25 ), time trial
14 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/portugal.jpg) Vasconcelos ( 30 ), silver climb & bronze sprint
15 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/belgica.jpg) Masschelein ( 31 ), tour
Good luck everyone ! :)
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/ec365cb5b403c66bf9212fc15b3d4289.png)
top 10 results in stages ;
Beckham ( climb ) = 2º stage 1 and 3º queen's stage 4, both results as not-favorite in free roles. :o 8)
Hunter ( time trial ) = 2º stage 3 ( TT-FFC^HF 65km ), 7º stage 7 and 8º stage 10.
Tour de France final GC ;
5º Milne 3:20"
19º Masschelein 9:50"
Goal achieved, a top 6 GC sponsordeal of 1,3 million ! :)
And also nice, SPORTLIFE still 2º in division 1A.
With an enormous too big gap towards nr 1º JGMTeam, and with i.m.o. too many teams who are very close to the 2º place.
It might be an interesting and fierce battle for a podiumplace this season.
Also less good things during the Tour de France ;
# Morel ( 22 ) lost the white jersey lead to Lepasalu ( 21, northwest ) who finished twice as 25º in the normal flat TT stages.
# My team lost the semi final in the CFF Cup to Villavante. What I expected, because it was a battle between 5 Australian TT specialists.
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Clasica San Sebastian ;
22º Masschelein 0:49"
A little bit dissapointing.
Although I knew he could not ride top10, still, I expected he would finish at least top20 in this points-rich race.
And there was a little hope that Reigersman or Milne could make it into the top30 in a free role, but they did not ( 32º and 36º ).
The competition scored more points in San Sebastian ;
( 1. JGMTeam = 370 ) --> the future 1A champion is not a rival in the battle for a podiumplace.
2. SPORTLIFE = 65
3. Elgrand = 385
4. CaptainOrange = 130
5. CobbleCrushers = 190
6. LottoStelvio = 555
7. Villavante = 70
8. Flandria = 0
I guess that I can expect that the competition will do much better in Lombardia as well.
What makes the upcoming tours even more important for my team.
I don't expect to make a difference in BBT, but I'm optimistic about my Vuelta selection. Hopefully my optimism is justified.
Because the current 1A situation is hard to predict with these small differences, for example the nr 6 is just 702 points behind my team.
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/d3b3b3dd456bf24faf1cea8cfca6c56d.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
New buy Madanov is not in topform yet, what is also the reason that I did not send him on training camp for the Vuelta, his main goal.
With Vuelta TC bonus, he could not ride the BBT,
and he would not be in topform in the first 5 Vuelta stages, and I don't have +form WC cards.
Too bad that I could not buy him earlier ( he was on the transfermarket before for a higher price, but I did not had enough money )
then this tricky situation could be avoided and of course then he would have had the TC bonus period BBT + Vuelta.
Now his season schedule is SSB + BBT + Vuelta, all without TC bonus. A good decision for the max. points he can score for my team.
But a very difficult and tricky decision, because it is a weird Vuelta and who knows, maybe Madanov can compete for the final GC victory.
And I like to win the Vuelta much more than to win a podiumplace in 1A, because my team never won a big tour.
Although, the first 5 Vuelta stages seem pretty decisive in my opinion, and not being in topform but with TC bonus, is not ideal also.
It is a difficult game sometimes, but such hard decisions are fun too :), and hopefully I made the right choice, the future will tell.
Anyway, because Madanov is not in topform yet, his teammate Kaarnamets gets the backnumber that ends on 1.
Despite that Kaarnamets cannot sprint at all ( = time loss in stage 2 ), he is in topform and he is better in stage 1, the time trial.
So, I estimate that Kaarnamets can ride a better GC than Madanov, but my estimation could be wrong.
Because Madanov seems suited for this BBT, even despite no topform ánd a bad time trial ( what might be an issue in the Vuelta as well ).
Perhaps my BBT strategy will be changed after stage 1 or later, because it will be a puzzle how to get the most points out of this BBT.
No top results are expected, also not in the GC, with one exception ; Hunter should get a top result in stage 1 as 5th favorite.
11 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) Kaarnamets ( 31 ), cobblehills & GC ?
12 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) Madanov ( 29 ), cobblehills-sprint & GC ?
13 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Hunter ( 25 ), time trial
14 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) Udod ( 31 ), hills
15 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/spain.jpg) Postigo ( 22 ), flat-cobble
Good luck everyone ! :)
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I just looked at the BBT selections of the rival teams in 1A, and..... WOW, it seems they have very impressive BBT teams.
Probably it will be damage control for my BBT team by not losing too many total BBT points against the rival teams.
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La Vuelta is my main objective this season for Simsons to complete the big three. I had already lost all hope in winning La Vuelta this season after seeing Madanov signing with your team. Now that I see he hasn't got TC, there is hope again :)
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Well, if Madanov would have TC in the Vuelta, he would not be in topform in the first 5 Vuelta stages, what also would give you hope. ;)
Good luck with Simsons in the Vuelta !
BBT, stage 1, time trial 19 km ;
2º Hunter 0:01"
19º Kaarnamets 2:03"
62º Madanov 2:53"
Again almost the very first victory of Hunter, in TdF stage 3 he was 2 seconds behind, and now just 1 second.
Kaarnamets scored some unexpected stage points by profiting of that many TT specialists are absent in this BBT.
The result of Madanov is not promising for a Vuelta top GC result , but I assume he can limit the time loss better when he is in topform.
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BBT, stage 2, FCCFF ( storm ) ;
26º Madanov ( free role ) 0:34"
44º Kaarnamets ( teamcaptain ) 1:20"
The 22yo Postigo gave up his white jersey ambition after seeing that Lepasalu ( 21, Northwest ) finished as 13º in the time trial.
Instead, now he had the important job to help Kaarnamets in this stormy stage, what Postigo did perfectly despite very different stats.
And nice to see that Madanov scored a few points, although the 1A rival teams scored many more points in this stage.
As expected, the GC after 2 stages is very close between my 2 GC contenders ;
20º Kaarnamets 1:21"
23º Madanov 1:25"
Most likely Madanov would not have finished one group sooner when he would be the teamcaptain in stage 2.
The best strategy seems to hold on to Kaarnamets as teamcaptain. Hopefully both will move up some ( or many ) places in the GC.
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La Vuelta is my main objective this season for Simsons to complete the big three.
Extreme impressive, to have this as a goal. 8)
I see that Daumants Simsons came very close in the Vuelta of two seasons ago ; 2º GC on just 0:11"
There is not a milestone / achievement for an individual cyclist if he wins all 3 different big tours.
But there is one for the manager, and so far just 4 managers achieved to win all 3 different big tours ;
CyKings, CaptainOrange, FrançaiseDesJeux and °Peachy°Melocotons.
And just 3 cyclists won all 3 different big tours ;
Mike Bauer ( CyKings ), Anthony Hilton ( CaptainOrange ) and Lazare Pires ( FrançaiseDesJeux ).
If Daumants Simsons will be the 4th cyclist who achieves this in the upcoming Vuelta, according to me that is uncertain,
because it might be possible that there will be a few surprising top GC contenders in this weird Vuelta with just 3 mountain sections.
Again good luck !
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No points in stages 3 and 4, but in stage 5 teamcaptain Kaarnamets ( 8º ) and free role Madanov ( 28º ) scored points.
And more importantly are the excellent final GC results in this BBT ; :)
3º Kaarnamets 1:12"
8º Madanov 2:31"
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(https://www.worldcyclingstats.com/img/logos/c8892128eff206aeb674bcc6880a73a6.png) (https://i.imgur.com/GvIPZ8B.png)selection SPORTLIFE
Compared to a "traditional" tour cyclist, Madanov will lose ( many ? ) minutes in the mountain stage + the 2 time trial stages.
Hopefully he can strike back in the second half of the Vuelta and achieves a top GC result.
11 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/ukrania.jpg) Madanov ( 29 ), GC
12 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Lust ( 25 ), tour
13 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/estonia.jpg) Kaarnamets ( 31 ), cobblehills
14 (https://cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/italia.jpg) Caneschi ( 29 ), climb
15 (https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) Herd ( 24 ), time trial
Good luck everyone ! :)
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Vuelta stage 1, MDMDM ( 1x wind ) ;
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4º Norris ( OphiukoCT ) 0:23"
5º Simsons ( OphiukoCT ) 0:31" --> amazing result thanks to perfect help of Norris.
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6º Caneschi 0:31" --> a perfect prepared climber with 2 active weather icons + 1 victory on his palmares.
45º Lust 3:20" --> very bad result in his debut for my team, due to a mechanical breakdown in s3.
54º Madanov 4:49" --> a lot of time loss of the SPORTLIFE teamcaptain, and that will be even more in both TT-stages.
81º Kaarnamets 8:36" --> the nr 3 GC of the BBT does have a TT icon, but way too many minutes lost now, and he cannot sprint.
I accepted a sponsordeal of top 9 GC, it probably is very doubtfull now if that can be achieved.
Perhaps I have to switch of teamcaptain, because Lust will do minutes better in both TT stages than Madanov.
The 1A podium battle of my team relied heavy on an excellent GC result in this Vuelta, so this battle seems in big jeopardy now.
Also because not many stage points are expected, besides stage 1 ( Caneschi ), stage 2 ( Herd with low xp ) and stage 9 ( Kaarnamets ).
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Indeed a great first stage, but I think Koen VanAmerongen is the top favourite for winning the GC. I think Simsons can only beat him on hill stages. It is going to be very hard with him. Probably Podnieks too.
Mi excel lists gave Fedir Madanov and my former Silver Maasikmets as top favourites, but it seems they have lost quite a lot on the first stage. Definitely Silver has lost more time than Fedir according to what they should have lost.
Whether Madanov can recover all that time is a great doubt, but at the moment VanAmerongen, Podnieks, Mira and Fevola seem the top contestants.
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Vuelta stage 2, flat time trial 52 km ( 1x wind ) ;
4º Herd 0:17"
30º Kaarnamets 2:48"
36º Lust 2:54"
92º Madanov 3:53" --> Oh, oh, more than 5 ( ! ) minutes behind the current top 7 GC.
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Vuelta, final GC ;
6º Madanov 2:38"
17º Lust 9:12"
Madanov could come back in the second half of the Vuelta, thanks to perfect help of Kaarnamets in many stages.
Especially on the cobblestones both did great, with as highlight a 3º place on 0:00" in cobblehills stage 9.
Overall considered, Madanov scored more stage points as expected. And also nice, the sponsordeal of top 9 GC is achieved easily.
But the disasterous stage 1 might still be a bummer, for example only one place better there, would have been exactly 1:00" faster.
And then Madanov would have finished 4º GC, what is 100 points more than his actual 6º GC place.
Hopefully this "missing out" on these 100 points has no consequence in the final 1A ranking.
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Lombardia ;
14º Masschelein
18º Reigersman ( free role )
29º Machado ( free role )
Excellent results !
Masschelein ( 22º in SanSebastian ) had to finish as 22º again, to take the lead in the individual Belgian championship.
Goal achieved, and it seems certain now that Masschelein wins the Belgian jersey. :)
Also very nice is the total of 250 points in this race, and SPORTLIFE still 2º in division 1A.
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Salzburgo TT WC ;
13º Herd 0:24"
21º Hunter 0:37"
Hunter did very well without TC bonus, but I expected a little more of the fully prepared Herd.
Duitema WC ( 1x wind ) ;
3º Szõnyi 0:21"
24º Caneschi ( helper ) 1:37"
Finishing solo as 3º is a very good result, thanks to his s4 helper.
These WC results are good enough to hold on to the 2º place in division 1A, in fact, there is a big gap of 1.257 points towards the nr 3º.
And an enormous giant gap of 3.408 points towards 1A champion JGMTeam, who won both WC races = 3x congratulations !!!
Achievements of SPORTLIFE in season 27 =
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/2equipos.gif) 2º place in division 1A with 13.182 points.
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/gold.jpg) 4 stage victories, all in little tours = Boyar, Osland, and 2x Vasconcelos.
GC podium results = 2º Boyar ( Tirreno ) and 3º Kaarnamets ( BBT ).
Best GC result in a big tour = 5º Milne ( Tour de France ).
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/camiusa.gif) Beckham ( climber ) --> for the 3rd time in a row American champion.
With just 636 points, and he was lucky that the strategic gamble paid off to use him as extra helper in the WC climb race,
instead of a free role to try to score a few points and defend his lead.
The gamble was that his only rival Norris ( OphiukoCT ) did not finish top 5 in Colombia, but superclose and lucky that he finished as 6º.
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/camiinglaterra.gif) Milne ( tour ) --> the British champion of s26 successfully defended his title.
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/camibelgica.gif) Masschelein ( tour ) --> once before there was a Belgian champion in my team ; Lebrun ( sprint ) in s16.
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/camiestonia.gif) Kaarnamets ( cobblehills ) --> the most happy with this jersey, because my team never had an Estonian champion.
Not an achievement of my team, but for sure this is also worth to mention about my season 27 ;
(https://www.cyclingforfun.org/cff/imagenes/australia.jpg) = NT World Champion with 3 NT race victories.
It was my 10th time as Australian NT manager = 2x 2º and 8x 1º 8)