[MinardiM189]

He isn’t that good in the

He isn’t that good in the mountains.

Probably his best GC result was 6th in 2016 Dauphine. Only  top climbers beat him, Froome, Contador, Porte, Martin & Bardet.

If anything his performance in high mountains has got worse since then.

 

[MinardiM189]

Dr Winston wrote:

MinardiM189 wrote:

Depending on the weather anything can happen in this race, which is why it always one of the most interesting races.

Given the weather forecast for Sunday some of the GC riders could be literally blown out of contention.

 

 

Not looked that far forward yet. What’s it saying?

37kph wind from the West on Sunday afternoon, gusts of up 50kph. 🙂

It is forecast to be windy Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday too.

50% chance of snow on Turini on Thursday & Friday, so the mountain stage could be affected.

[MinardiM189]

Dr Winston wrote:

Wow….That SKY team…looking good.

Young Sosa and old man Bernal plus Narvaez chucked in for good measure.

Rowe & Kwiatowski will be busy looking after their lightweight team mates in the wind. 🙂

[MinardiM189]

Depending on the weather

Depending on the weather anything can happen in this race, which is why it always one of the most interesting races.

Given the weather forecast for Sunday some of the GC riders could be literally blown out of contention.

 

 

[MinardiM189]

I don’t think the race suits

I don’t think the race suits Alaphilippe, he can’t sustain the high power output of other classics riders.

But the weather looks good which should suit him and other ‘lighter’ riders.

This race is also more difficult to control which makes it easier to beat Quickstep.

Personally I would use my team to deliberately block any QS rider, refuse to work when any QS rider is in my group, refuse to chase any group without a QS rider. Basically treat all QS riders as they treat other teams.

Despite that I will probaby have 2 QS riders in my team.

Biggest problem with this race is that you need to use a lot of transfers and the next ‘classic’ is Milan-SanRemo where lots more transfers will be needed.

Is it worth wasting a transfer to bring in a rider who could finish top 3 but just as likely do nothing?

 

[MinardiM189]

Long way to go yet.

Long way to go yet.

Last 50km are flat, Bora, Jumbo, Cofidis will all work to bring the front group back.

I find it hard to believe that Quickstep are allowed to get away with being so disruptive to the chasing group. They effectivley blocked the road and slowed down around the final corner. Lampaert even had his arms out stopping people going around his outside.

I imagine that will have been a poor race for most people.

Hopefully the transfers I didn’t use will come in useful later.

[MinardiM189]

My team for K-B-K

My team for K-B-K

COLBRELLI
GROENEWEGEN
TRENTIN
STYBAR
NAESEN
PHILIPSEN
ROELANDTS
PETIT

[MinardiM189]

The ‘Headline’ score is based

The ‘Headline’ score is based on the results including Tour of Oman and Volta ao Algarve.

These races weren’t meant to be included in the season scores and have now been removed.

For whatever reason the ‘Headline’ score has remained the same, I guess this will be fixed in due course.

As for badges this sometimes happens, no idea why.

[MinardiM189]

5 in the top10 isn’t bad I

5 in the top10 isn’t bad I suppose.

Roelandts and Petit saving themselves for tomorrow, I hope.

Vanmarcke is now on my don’t pick list.

Who to bring in tomorrow?

Quickstep no longer have a pure sprinter, so I expect they will make it a very tough race.

[MinardiM189]

4th in the Purist

4th in the Purist

5th in Standard

Surprised I did so well considering I had Moscon & Kittel in purist and hald the standard stages.

[MinardiM189]

Dr Winston wrote:

Damn. Just seen Naesen didn’t start. Having no luck at all lately.

Where did you see that?

I haven’t seen that bit of bad news anywhere. 🙁

[MinardiM189]

Safe picks for Omloop –

Safe picks for Omloop –

Van AVERMAET
GILBERT
TRENTIN
STYBAR
NAESEN
VANMARCKE
ROELANDTS
PETIT

Hopefully none of them have picked up the flu bug that is going around.

[MinardiM189]

Dr Winston wrote:

Aye. Viviani is quite prone to grabbing points at intermediate sprints at times….in fact…has he not already done that once this season?…We need to remember that,

Lost my way in this race yesterday with the Ewan fail. Just hoping for top 20 now. Viviani Gaviria Halvorsen and Moscheti my only rides of note for tomorrow.

Yes I should have remembered, Viviani going in the break in TDU cost me points.

Mountain Renegade did remember 🙁

[MinardiM189]

I should have kept Viviani

I should have kept Viviani rather than Gaviria but otherwise an OK stage.

3 sprinters if for tomorrow, hopefully we can have a repeat of Stage 5 finish 🙂

GAVIRIA
BENNETT Sam
GAUDU
VIVIANI
KITTEL
KURIANOV
PLANET
MOSCHETTI

[MinardiM189]

No sign of Planet or Kurianov

No sign of Planet or Kurianov in today’s break. 🙁

Viviani in the break, probably looking to take the points jersey.

[Author]

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