Astana next year

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CycloAndy

CycloAndy

Apr 15, 2013
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We've got a thread for Sky's squads for next year but with Astana being so busy in the transfer market they could put out some great squads next year too:

My new prediction for the Giro squad is Scarponi, Aru (free role), Pellizotti, Lutsenko, Brajkovic, Tiralongo, Kessiakoff, Gruzdev, Boric.

My guess for the tour squad is Nibali, Scarponi, Fugslang, Kangert, Agnoli, Pellizotti, Westra, Grivko, Iglinskiy.
 
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Vino attacks everyone

May 5, 2011
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CycloAndy said:
We've got a thread for Sky's squads for next year but with Astana being so busy in the transfer market they could put out some great squads next year too:

My guess for the Giro squad is Scarponi, Aru (free role), Pelizotti, Brajkovic, Landa, Vanotti, Kessiakoff, Gruzdev, Boric.

My guess for the tour squad is Nibali, Scarponi, Fugslang, Kangert, Agnoli, Tiralongo, Westra, Grivko, Iglinskiy.
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Think Brajko and Tira will switch places, and No Scarponi for the Giro. Nibali needs him at a 100% in July. 1 guy we haven't talked about this year at all is Guardini. I hope he can get some form back, so hge can ride the giro and take a stage or 2.
 
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greenedge

Mar 27, 2011
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Going off your Tour team for Nibali- who will be his protectors on the cobbles (only Grivko and Inglinsky- who feature but are not the best might be a bit skimpy)?

I think a rider like Bozic or Ponzi (is he still at Astana) could be included/ i would like for Kessiakoff to do the TDF/ maybe Landa too.

Very strong team :)
 
Pentacycle

Pentacycle

May 28, 2012
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Tiralongo seems to be taking the same path as Szmyd. I don't think he'll be very valuable for his leaders any more. Scarponi and Pellizotti could also be on their decline in their career, but especially Scarponi can still be valuable as mountain domestique. Both are also good classics riders. And of course Franco will miss the first part of the season, which is a major setback.

Of course Kangert has really stepped up, and seems to be a reliable support in the mountains, he just needs to do some more work on the front. Brajkovic can also be used in this respect, like Fuglsang. For the flat stages Nibali can count on Guarnieri, Bozic, Grivko and Muravyev.

If Aru will lead the Giro team(as in the current plans) they won't need many climbers there. Perhaps a sprinters/stage hunters team could be more suited to this racing style. Guardini(sprints), Gasparotto&Gavazzi(hills or breakaways), and perhaps also Lutsenko. Landa and Zeits can help out Aru,

Some mysteries remain; Westra and Kessiakoff haven't been up to their best lately, but they should be able to easily make the Tour team when in top shape.
 
V

Vino attacks everyone

May 5, 2011
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Pentacycle said:
Tiralongo seems to be taking the same path as Szmyd. I don't think he'll be very valuable for his leaders any more. Scarponi and Pellizotti could also be on their decline in their career, but especially Scarponi can still be valuable as mountain domestique. Both are also good classics riders. And of course Franco will miss the first part of the season, which is a major setback.

Of course Kangert has really stepped up, and seems to be a reliable support in the mountains, he just needs to do some more work on the front. Brajkovic can also be used in this respect, like Fuglsang. For the flat stages Nibali can count on Guarnieri, Bozic, Grivko and Muravyev.

If Aru will lead the Giro team(as in the current plans) they won't need many climbers there. Perhaps a sprinters/stage hunters team could be more suited to this racing style. Guardini(sprints), Gasparotto&Gavazzi(hills or breakaways), and perhaps also Lutsenko. Landa and Zeits can help out Aru,

Some mysteries remain; Westra and Kessiakoff haven't been up to their best lately, but they should be able to easily make the Tour team when in top shape.
Click to expand...

I can almost asure you that none of their 9 man squad to the tour next year will be anything but at their best :p
 
CycloAndy

CycloAndy

Apr 15, 2013
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greenedge said:
Going off your Tour team for Nibali- who will be his protectors on the cobbles (only Grivko and Inglinsky- who feature but are not the best might be a bit skimpy)?

I think a rider like Bozic or Ponzi (is he still at Astana) could be included/ i would like for Kessiakoff to do the TDF/ maybe Landa too.

Very strong team :)
Click to expand...

My feelings were that two skilled riders for the cobbles would be enough, as only one of the stages has any cobbles. Westra and Kessiakoff are similar riders so may compete for the same place. Similarly, Landa, Brajkovic and Tiralongo are probably competing for one spot but Tira shaded it for me due to his loyalty to Nibali.
 
CycloAndy

CycloAndy

Apr 15, 2013
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Samson777 said:
You can skip the almost part:p

Fuglsang believes that he will get the chance to compete in the giro, but no matter what, he is ready to sacrifice himself, to help Nibali win the tour.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fuglsang-ready-to-help-nibali-at-2014-tour-de-france
Click to expand...

Other reports have also said Aru and Scarponi may lead the giro. Aru should at least be a co-leader because he probably isn't ready for the tour quite yet. My guess was that Scarponi will do the Giro & tour and Fugslang will do the tour & vuelta but they could swap.
 
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Vino attacks everyone

May 5, 2011
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CycloAndy said:
Other reports have also said Aru and Scarponi may lead the giro. Aru should at least be a co-leader because he probably isn't ready for the tour quite yet. My guess was that Scarponi will do the Giro & tour and Fugslang will do the tour & vuelta but they could swap.
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Shefer was quite clear earlier this autumn that Aru would lead the giro, but that might have changed with Scarponi. But I still can't see why they signed Scarponi if it wasnt to help Nibali, and Nibali only at the tour.
 
CycloAndy

CycloAndy

Apr 15, 2013
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Vino attacks everyone said:
Shefer was quite clear earlier this autumn that Aru would lead the giro, but that might have changed with Scarponi. But I still can't see why they signed Scarponi if it wasnt to help Nibali, and Nibali only at the tour.
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Yeah I think Aru will at least be co-leader.

The reason I said Scarponi will also lead was this comment on the CN article (http://m.cyclingnews.com/news/scarponi-to-join-astana-in-2014) when he signed: "Michele Scarponi will ride for Astana in 2014, leading the team at the Giro d'Italia and then helping Vincenzo Nibali take on Chris Froome at the Tour de France." It could just be the author guessing though as it doesn't quote anyone saying it.
 
Afrank

Afrank

Aug 16, 2011
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Pentacycle said:
Some mysteries remain; Westra and Kessiakoff haven't been up to their best lately, but they should be able to easily make the Tour team when in top shape.
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Speaking of Kessiakoff, anyone know what's been up with him this year? Really impressed me last year with a number of strong performances, but He's done pretty much nothing this year?

On the topic of leader for the Giro, I'm hoping that Aru get's the leadership. Just think that would be pretty cool to see Astana give him such a big opportunity in only his 2nd year at WT. I think it will probably depend largely on who performs leading up to the Giro though.
 
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Vino attacks everyone

May 5, 2011
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Afrank said:
Speaking of Kessiakoff, anyone know what's been up with him this year? Really impressed me last year with a number of strong performances, but He's done pretty much nothing this year?

On the topic of leader for the Giro, I'm hoping that Aru get's the leadership. Just think that would be pretty cool to see Astana give him such a big opportunity in only his 2nd year at WT. I think it will probably depend largely on who performs leading up to the Giro though.
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Kess has been busy being as a flat domestique in the giro and out of form in the tour as a result of that this year :eek:

Yea, Astanas giro squad could be really interesting next year. I hope the young guns will get a shot to really prove themselves there (Aru, Lutsenko, Guardini)
And ofc, the oldies like Franco and Tira might give us a last little show before they go into retirement mode.
 
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Hakkapelit

Aug 29, 2013
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As I have undestood it Kessiakoff has some asthma or/and allergiaproblems wich are more prominent in the spring, wich doesnt make him an ideal giro-rider since he is more of an late summer/ autumn performer. Off course we didnt see any of that this year since he hasnt really raced very much after the crash in le Tour.
 
V

Vino attacks everyone

May 5, 2011
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Ferminal said:
He will be nice and fresh.
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ofc he will :)

Next year will be one of the most exciting years for me personally as a cycling fan for quite some time. Not since 06, when I was waiting Vinos tdf victory to be secured 07, have I been so looking forward for a new cycling season.

Will Nibali take the last step up and truly challenge Froome and win the tdf?
Will the young talents Aru and Lutsenko improve and become challengers in their respective fields of cycling? (I have great hopes for Aru to top 5 next years giro, if he can avoid illness.)
Will the old class italians step up one last time for their leader?
Will the strongest ardennes team dominate again like in '12?

I can't wait :):)
 
jens_attacks

jens_attacks

Sep 8, 2009
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after vino's retirement, i kind of late it go with cheering astana all the way
but next year i'm back
i will cheer for nibali to win tdf, way too much time i didn't like the guy but lately i became a fanboy
aru is one of the youngsters i like a lot. and with michele, delfino and the beast,astana is just a super awesome team.

maybe max will show his class again too i hope

but giro -tour will be fun
 
V

Vino attacks everyone

May 5, 2011
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"Michele is a Giro leader, and he can be our Captain for Astana Pro Team in May. Our young Fabio Aru will ride with him, as will Alexey Lutsenko, and we see an environment where these very talented young riders will learn race leadership skills and strategies alongside Scarponi as he rides for a podium at the Giro d'Italia next year," said Vinokurov.

Scarponi and the young guns for the giro next year. Can't wait!
 
Inquitus

Inquitus

Apr 29, 2012
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Vino attacks everyone said:
ofc he will :)
Will Nibali take the last step up and truly challenge Froome and win the tdf? not unless Froome falls off on the cobbles.
Will the old class italians step up one last time for their leader? Nope
Click to expand...

I'll answer the 2 easy ones.
 
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Gloin22

Apr 10, 2011
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What does depth of squad matter when on every single climb Porte can reduce the peleton to 3/4 riders max in space of few minutes ?

Plus Sky is not making the same mistake again as Brailsford said, fully committed to Tour.
It will be hard, but well, Nibali is the only one that can do it and beat him next year Although the chances aren't great.
 
maxmartin

maxmartin

May 19, 2011
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Gloin22 said:
What does depth of squad matter when on every single climb Porte can reduce the peleton to 3/4 riders max in space of few minutes ?

Plus Sky is not making the same mistake again as Brailsford said, fully committed to Tour.
It will be hard, but well, Nibali is the only one that can do it and beat him next year Although the chances aren't great.
Click to expand...

Porte will race giro for the win, it will be interesting to see what kind of Porte can show up after the Giro? Well with sky scientific advanced recovery method, I guess everything is on the table:eek:
 
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