2014 19th Vattenfall Cyclassics: 246km, August 24

[BigMac]

2014 VATTENFALLCYCLASSICS

Whilst some prefer to take the Vuelta route, others do the classics as a preparation for the Worlds (and not only). Vattenfall (not always riden by the big guns), Plouay, Québec et Montréal - all great races that usually deliver. This year's parcours - from Hamburg to Hamburg again - stays identical to the previous editions.

Startlist (not complete)

Top-10 Previous Edition
1.John Degenkolb
2.André Greipel (in race)
3.Alexander Kristoff (in race)
4.José Joaquín Rojas (in race)
5.Elia Viviani
6.Boy van Poppel (in race)
7.Nikolas Maes
8.Thor Hushovd (in race)
9.Matti Breschel (in race)
10.Arnaud Démare (in race)

Map

Profile

OP's pick is Sacha Modolo.

 

[Akuryo]

So, OPQS with 6 leadout guys but no real sprinter (from the provisional startlist). Renshaw, Petacchi, Meersman, Steegmans, Trentin and Alaphilippe are all kind of fast but not fast enough. Only chance would be for Meersman/Alaphillipe/Trentin to attack on one of the climbs at the end and try to win it from there.

If it comes to a bunch-sprint all of them would be crushed by the likes of Demare or Kristoff. I would even pick Coquard and Appolonio ahead of the QuickStep guys. But hey, maybe "strength in numbers" will work out just fine.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

“Gerro will be the guy we will look to in the sprint,” White said.

It's like Goss doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Ricco']

I'm sorry for Goss.

Ok, the guy didn't delivered s*** in the past year, but come on will Gerro do something better than him in a sprint?

Goss is off Orica next year that's sure. I'm starting to think that a move to Tinkoff would be a good path. Riis could give him some discipline again and he could be a good sidekick to Sagan.

 

[jens_attacks]

wait is still gossey riding a bike for living? i thought he retired 3 years ago
quite a shocker

 

[maltiv]

I'm sorry for Goss.

Ok, the guy didn't delivered s*** in the past year, but come on will Gerro do something better than him in a sprint?

Short answer: yes.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Hopefully Alaphilippe can continue his good form.

 

[Boardslide]

Cav now riding this race for the first time in his career, this from their Twitter & website

 

[Akuryo]

Cav now riding this race for the first time in his career, this from their Twitter & website

I still think they are going with an attack from Alaphilippe/Meersman/Trentin, cause they get over the hills better and are in better shape than Cav. He will just get some miles.

 

[Gotland]

2014 VATTENFALLCYCLASSICS

Whilst some prefer to take the Vuelta route, others do the classics as a preparation for the Worlds (and not only). Vattenfall (not always riden by the big guns), Plouay, Québec et Montréal - all great races that usually deliver. This year's parcours - from Hamburg to Hamburg again - stays identical to the previous editions.

Didn't they change the final last year? To bad they don't ride more in blankenese. Was there this summer on holiday. You can make a flandern on steroids there. Steppclimbs and alot cobbled streets.

 

[Boardslide]

I still think they are going with an attack from Alaphilippe/Meersman/Trentin, cause they get over the hills better and are in better shape than Cav. He will just get some miles.

Think you're probably right just getting the miles in

 

[greenedge]

I'm sorry for Goss.

Ok, the guy didn't delivered s*** in the past year, but come on will Gerro do something better than him in a sprint?

Goss is off Orica next year that's sure. I'm starting to think that a move to Tinkoff would be a good path. Riis could give him some discipline again and he could be a good sidekick to Sagan.

Beat Greipel this year and last year Sagan so he could.

Such a pity about Goss- I hope he goes to a good team next year and failing that go to Drapac, who'd give him a good American programme, TDU...

Some names that stand out for me on the startlist are Gasparotto, Boom, GVA.
I think those riders will not want a big bunch sprint and could win from a bunch of 30.

Dark horse for me Steele Von Hoff.

 

[Luigi_Max]

Beat Greipel this year and last year Sagan so he could.

Such a pity about Goss- I hope he goes to a good team next year and failing that go to Drapac, who'd give him a good American programme, TDU...

Some names that stand out for me on the startlist are Gasparotto, Boom, GVA.
I think those riders will not want a big bunch sprint and could win from a bunch of 30.

Dark horse for me Steele Von Hoff.

Steele Von Hoff could do with a good result seeing he is searching for a contract although Drapac would probably take him as well as Goss.

However Farrar would be the leader of that team?

 

[BigMac]

Didn't they change the final last year? To bad they don't ride more in blankenese. Was there this summer on holiday. You can make a flandern on steroids there. Steppclimbs and alot cobbled streets.

They did, yes. It's a bit more selective now, it seems.

 

[VeloHuman]

With Kittel on the startlist, every rider not in Giant-Shimano kit is going to be gunning it all day and especially over the hills. Wind and rain could make this interesting too.

 

[manafana]

kristoff in superb shape right now should be disappointed if he doesn't take this

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Live via excellent stream:

http://www.hamburg1.de/livestream.html

edit: not quite live yet, but the stream looks good when we get there.

 

[BigMac]

Thank you for the link D&C.

It's also live on Eurosport1 at 14:30 GMT; 15:30 CET.

 

[BigMac]

Lotto train leads the péloton followed by Belkin. Two Europcars join.

Edit: FDJ.fr and Катюша take over.

 

[roundabout]

Doesn't really look like it's going to be a very selective race so let's hope for no crashes near the end

2 Wasebergs to go.

 

[BigMac]

Plenty of teams take pulls, though for a maximum of ten seconds. Everyone trying to be near the front.

1. Modolo
2. Kristoff


You have read it here first.

-----

Gap 20 seconds.

 

[BigMac]

Greipel struggling, he is not going to win today.

Race is shattered.

 

[BigMac]

Group in the front with:

Alaphilippe
Marcato
Trentin
Boaro

20 seconds advantage and gaining time. Катюша and now Lotto chase.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Group in the front with:

Alaphilippe
Marcato
Trentin
Boaro

20 seconds advantage and gaining time. Катюша and now Lotto chase.

And Yates.

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Gotta love Marcato. Always attacking.