2014 Speculation (and confirmation) thread - rider schedules and parcours

[Netserk]

Strade Bianche's route for this year.

Is it different than usual route?

Yes.

Last year (and 2012):

 

[Parrulo]

For better or for worse?

 

[Netserk]

The last 23km are the same, but the section just before that is different.

edit: dunno if better or worse.

old profile (again the 2012 one, but IIRC it was the same last year):

 

[Eshnar]

For better or for worse?

it has less sterrato overall (but it's longer), so I'd say for worse. Need to check properly though

 

[Zam_Olyas]

I think it's okay not worst. Same difference.

 

[Eshnar]

Trentino 2014 stage 3: Mori - Roncone (Pozza) 184 kms

It's a wall-finish, after a fairly tough route. I can't find any profile of the last climb, but it's been a Trentino finish twice already, won by Fondriest (1993) and Cunego (2004). The latter with some impressive gaps for a 3 km climb. The gradient looks very high on openrunner. Unfortunately I'm not quite sure about where the finishing line is.

 

[Eshnar]

The new Strade Bianche profile:

It's not that bad actually. The new third last sector is very short but is uphill. And the Sante Marie sector is now closer to the finish (although still a bit too far to have a decisive move there)

 

[Netserk]

For those who (like me) cannot see Eshnar's image in the thread:

 

[Eshnar]

For those who (like me) cannot see Eshnar's image in the thread:

Huh?
Isn't it visible?
edit: I put on your link now, so now it should be visible to everyone.

I'll delete yours

 

[Netserk]

I'll delete yours

That was mean!

 

[Red Lobster]

Can anyone tell me why Giant Shimano have both Degenkolb and Kittel sitting out both races this weekend?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Can anyone tell me why Giant Shimano have both Degenkolb and Kittel sitting out both races this weekend?

Don't think Kittel is focused on anything in the cobbles season other than Scheldeprijs. Almost the same as last year.

Don't know about Degenkolb.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Don't think Kittel is focused on anything in the cobbles season other than Scheldeprijs.

Isn't that the case for all of the peloton? All the others are mere preparation.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Isn't that the case for all of the peloton? All the others are mere preparation.

The ultimate challenge. We should just cancel worlds.
Incidentally the race often surprises to the upside, but it does require a team like the Steppers to go crazy along the way.

 

[Gotland]

Can anyone tell me why Giant Shimano have both Degenkolb and Kittel sitting out both races this weekend?

Aike Visbeek posted this on his blog on eurosport.se: (google translate)
When we looked at the preparation for the classics, we have made ​​some changes from last year. Along with John Degenkolb we decided that he would race the French races Bessèges, Mediteraneen Tour and Tour du Haut-Var in February. He wanted a little harder program in February compared to last year. After the contest period in France, we have planned a training camp for John for making the final fine adjustments before he starts Paris-Nice.

Hole story in swedish.
http://www.eurosport.se/aike-visbee...visbeeks-blogg_post2680018/blogpostfull.shtml

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Dekker.

 

[trevim]

Dekker.

Liège 1.2U? Is that even allowed or it's just a mistake and he'll ride the monument?

 

[jens_attacks]

any idea about thomas? are they doing an experiment on him to see how can you fight as a cyclotourist against the pros? i think he should let it go and retire...

 

[theyoungest]

Liège 1.2U? Is that even allowed or it's just a mistake and he'll ride the monument?

No, he was great in U23 races so they figured why not?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

No, he was great in U23 races so they figured why not?

lol, cracking me up.

 

[trevim]

No, he was great in U23 races so they figured why not?

Lol that's what I figured

 

[Netserk]

http://www.letour.fr/criterium-du-d...ahc/mountains-in-all-shapes-and-flavours.html

Sunday, June 8, stage 1: Lyon – Lyon, 10 km (individual time trial)
Monday, June 9, stage 2: Tarare – Pays d'Olliergues-Col du Béal, 158.5 km
Tuesday, June 10, stage 3: Ambert – Le Teil, 194 km
Wednesday, June 11, stage 4: Montélimar – Gap, 169.5 km
Thursday, June 12, stage 5: Sisteron – La Mure, 184 km
Friday, June 13, stage 6: Grenoble – Poisy, 168 km
Saturday, June 14, stage 7: Ville-la-Grand – Finaut-Émosson (Switzerland), 161.5 km
Sunday, June 15, stage 8: Megève – Courchevel, 130.5 km

Stage 2 MTF: http://www.cyclismactu.net/photo/news/image/PROFILKMS.jpg

 

[Pricey_sky]

http://www.letour.fr/criterium-du-d...ahc/mountains-in-all-shapes-and-flavours.html



Stage 2 MTF: http://www.cyclismactu.net/photo/news/image/PROFILKMS.jpg

2 MTF's then? Not bad.

 

[Netserk]

2 MTF's then? Not bad.

1: ITT
2: MTF
3: Sprint
4: Col de Manse to Gap
5: Medium mountain stage
6: Sprint
7: MTF
8: MTF

 

[jens_attacks]

courchevel yeyyy!