2019 Season Competition

Condor Andy wrote:

We're discussing now. The next race after Cadel is likely to be Tour of Oman (16th Feb), Algarve (20th Feb) if Oman isn't a popular choice. UAE (24th Feb) after that.

Spring Classics starts at Omloop (2nd March).

I would liketo see the UAE tour included with Oman filling the big gap in WT programme in February.

The new UAE tour is now a combination of the old UAE and Dubai Tours and looks interesting. One TTT, 2 mountain finishes, an uphill sprint stage and 3 sprint stages, and always the chance of croswinds in the desert.

The Tour of Oman is always quite interesting and throws up a few surprises, it also finishes before the UAE tour begins. A problem with Oman is the reduced number of WT teams (7) but at least the other teams are all Proconti.  Another problem has been limited TV coverage.

I think the Algarve race is a bit boring and predictable. Again the number of WT teams is limited (12 this year) but with only 3 PCT teams, the other 9 are small Portuguese teams.

Sounds good to me.

Condor Andy wrote:

We're discussing now. The next race after Cadel is likely to be Tour of Oman (16th Feb), Algarve (20th Feb) if Oman isn't a popular choice. UAE (24th Feb) after that.

Spring Classics starts at Omloop (2nd March).

Dr Winston wrote:

Are we getting a Tour of Colombia?

Whether we are or not I’m utterly amazed at the quality of climbing field they’re managing to put together. To then set a race with four flat stages one hilly stage and just one summit on the final day in a country like Colombia, and with a field like that, just seems a bit daft.  Who exactly decided that mad route? I can’t help but think they’re missing their chance to propel themselves forward.

I guess that teams and riders are getting paid a lot of money to participate in Columbia. For Froome & Nibali to attend they must be paying a lot.

During the season races generally get more and more difficult as they build up to the Giro & Tour.

A difficult parcours at this time of the season will probably do more harm than good and riders probably wouldn't participate.

The promoters of the race will want to show off the local heroes - Gaviria, Hodeg, Uran, Bernal, Quintana, etc. and make them look good by paying for a few big stars to come along.

I actually  prefer that races like this aren't included in the competition as it is not serious racing.

Aye...I agree with all that...but surely just the one climb at the end of the race is still somewhat on the skinny side for a field like that and given how the Colombians like their climbers....the term “short changed “ springs to mind. 

I’ve always felt Colombia should have a major race for itself...something similar to The tour of the alps in profile. 

MinardiM189 wrote:

Dr Winston wrote:

Are we getting a Tour of Colombia?

Whether we are or not I’m utterly amazed at the quality of climbing field they’re managing to put together. To then set a race with four flat stages one hilly stage and just one summit on the final day in a country like Colombia, and with a field like that, just seems a bit daft.  Who exactly decided that mad route? I can’t help but think they’re missing their chance to propel themselves forward.

I guess that teams and riders are getting paid a lot of money to participate in Columbia. For Froome & Nibali to attend they must be paying a lot.

During the season races generally get more and more difficult as they build up to the Giro & Tour.

A difficult parcours at this time of the season will probably do more harm than good and riders probably wouldn't participate.

The promoters of the race will want to show off the local heroes - Gaviria, Hodeg, Uran, Bernal, Quintana, etc. and make them look good by paying for a few big stars to come along.

I actually  prefer that races like this aren't included in the competition as it is not serious racing.