52nd Volta ao Algarve em Bicicleta (18-22 February)

[tobydawq]

Hector Alvarez should think twice which WT team he should be signing up soon. It looks like he would just become a "launch pad" of either Ayuso, or Skjelmose at Ldl-Trek. His power in leading the GC group for majority of the climb is really worthy of consideration. He was only relieved by Verona in front for a kilometer and then went back to work in front to launch Ayuso for his final attack.

Wasn't it Kämna who took over after Verona?

 

[AlfaLum]

Hector Alvarez should think twice which WT team he should be signing up soon. It looks like he would just become a "launch pad" of either Ayuso, or Skjelmose at Ldl-Trek. His power in leading the GC group for majority of the climb is really worthy of consideration. He was only relieved by Verona in front for a kilometer and then went back to work in front to launch Ayuso for his final attack.

If the last few years have proven anything it is that these Young Potential Stars are doing fine at the powerhouses in Cycling.

I really dont understand the narrative that these guys should move away from a team if they are not the first captain. Alvarez is progressing very nicely at Lidl-Trek and is already getting chances and riding results in smaller races.

There is no problem with him being a launching pad in bigger races for better races quite often during the season. He can develop, and his level increases he will get more chances and if he gets on par with the likes of Skjelmose or even Vacek he will captain the bigger races. And that is also exactly the level he needs to be to have a good chance of winning those races.

Same with Morgado, who really gets a lot of chances at UAE already, but for example failed to deliver himself in the second part of last season. The road for Morgado to be the second man in the spring classics is open, but he needs to be at least the same level as Wellens for those races to ride results. But if he is of that level he will also ride results at UAE.

 

[jotafap]

If the last few years have proven anything it is that these Young Potential Stars are doing fine at the powerhouses in Cycling.

I really dont understand the narrative that these guys should move away from a team if they are not the first captain. Alvarez is progressing very nicely at Lidl-Trek and is already getting chances and riding results in smaller races.

There is no problem with him being a launching pad in bigger races for better races quite often during the season. He can develop, and his level increases he will get more chances and if he gets on par with the likes of Skjelmose or even Vacek he will captain the bigger races. And that is also exactly the level he needs to be to have a good chance of winning those races.

Same with Morgado, who really gets a lot of chances at UAE already, but for example failed to deliver himself in the second part of last season. The road for Morgado to be the second man in the spring classics is open, but he needs to be at least the same level as Wellens for those races to ride results. But if he is of that level he will also ride results at UAE.

Agreed. I also don’t see the need to rush such young riders into a leadership role at any team, they might as well develop first within a strong structure.

 

[Cycling111]

The question is how developed Morgado is, considering he physically looked like a pro in his junior days.

Everyone's sport-live will be different, but I think someone like Morgado won't have a very long career and his best years will likely be when he's very young.

 

[Faserr]

A 20-minute MTF is not a short, punchy final. The Combloux MTF where Pogacar deleted everyone at Dauphiné last year was also 20 minutes and Lipowitz finished third there. This was simply a bad showing.

The Combloux stage was a totally different stage. A lot of mountains not just a snooozer with a hard climb at the end.
Even the climbs at the end were different. The last climb at Dauphine was longer and steady.

 

[Faserr]

Wasn't it Kämna who took over after Verona?

Yes. It was Kämma.

 

[Netserk]

A 20-minute MTF is not a short, punchy final. The Combloux MTF where Pogacar deleted everyone at Dauphiné last year was also 20 minutes and Lipowitz finished third there. This was simply a bad showing.

we didnt really see who was most affected by nuggets crashing, but just like foia last year it doesnt really say all that much about riders further down

 

[KZD]

Ganna should take the TT but the main focus will be on the GC battle. Almeida, Ayuso and Seixas are all good time trialists but I think Almeida will be slightly faster as he is usually very strong on flat TTs.

 

[mikks]

Agree with others. Lipowitz was the only real disappointment. All the others were more or less as expected.