Challenge Mallorca 2023 (January 25-29)

[Samamba]

Such a ridiculously strong ride from Goossens, I honestly never thought he could do this. I'm impressed.

Lennert Van Eetvelt 3rd place in his 2nd race as a pro. Also really good, even tho it looks like most top guys just gave up at the end or were frozen. ProConti teams were the ones battling it out for the podium.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Van Eetvelt 3rd as well

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This is probably the weakest top-10 I've ever seen in a one-day race with a field of this calibre.

 

[SafeBet]

This is probably the weakest top-10 I've ever seen in a one-day race with a field of this calibre.

Yeah it looks completely random, but kudos to Goossens. And promising performance by Van Eetvelt too.

 

[Samamba]

This is probably the weakest top-10 I've ever seen in a one-day race with a field of this calibre.

Also knowing the race was really hard. It's straight up weird. I mean I know guys like Almeida probably didn't care anymore, and the QS team just blew themselves up, but those Proconti guy all still outperformed guys like Serrano and Buchmann who both tried. I guess lots of the good guys really struggled with the weather.

And obviously those Spanish riders are usually already aiming for this race while the good guys are just preparing other races here.

 

[Roku]

Goosens looked strong already on the first trophy. He put in a monster ride today. First victory as a pro for the belgian. Wanty again starting the season on a high.

The wheather surely took its toll. Also, several high profile riders burned themselves on the false flat after the downhill.

I think Kamna should have given a couple of turns with the Quick Step riders. Cian was clearly cooked and Kamna could have beaten the Soudal duo.

Strong performances for the youngsters Martinelli, Barre and Van Eetvelt. The three of them are looking good on this start of the season.

 

[Anderis]

This is a very weird looking top10 for a race with such a strong field. Either we have a lot of riders breaking through or there was something abnormal about today's racing.

 

[Salvarani]

Gossens was good in the Mallorca races last year as well.

Lets see if he can make more results during the season this year.

 

[staubsauger]

This is a very weird looking top10 for a race with such a strong field. Either we have a lot of riders breaking through or there was something abnormal about today's racing.

Yeah. If you would just read the results sheet you wouldn't image that today's race in fact was a very nice appetizer for the upcoming cycling season!

 

[tobydawq]

Exactly the top 10 I wrote down this morning. Doesn't happen too often that I nail it completely.

 

[RedheadDane]

Exactly the top 10 I wrote down this morning. Doesn't happen too often that I nail it completely.

Unfortunately, for you, it seems you didn't write it down in the thread. So no cake!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Unfortunately, for you, it seems you didn't write it down in the thread. So no cake!

Who made you president of the United Cakes?

 

[RedheadDane]

Who made you president of the United Cakes?

I did!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

I did!

I want to speak with the moderator decorator!

 

[Roku]

Wanty bet for tomorrow: Rune Herregodts

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

I think you could’ve thrown the startlist into a randomizer and gotten a more realistic result than this. Chapeau to Goossens though, superb ride.

 

[Samamba]

No Puig Major tomorrow. 120km. Will be won by someone who wants to risks his life on the last (probably wet) descent.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Top 10 reminds me of that insane KBK years ago where everyone abandoned, you know the one where Stannard and Bobbie Traksel went off and Boonen etc called it a day. Not as infernal obviously but certain riders just thrive in terrible conditions, form goes out the window at times.

 

[staubsauger]

Top 10 reminds me of that insane KBK years ago where everyone abandoned, you know the one where Stannard and Bobbie Traksel went off and Boonen etc called it a day. Not as infernal obviously but certain riders just thrive in terrible conditions, form goes out the window at times.

Yeah had to think about that legendary Traksel, Flens & Stannard Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne Edition as well.

In the end only Hushovd and his lieutenant Roulston finished from the big favorites. Both completely frozen.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Cavagna had a gap of about a minute, but it's now less than 30 seconds. 33 km left, so they are close to the bottom of the climb.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

Lotto pushing the tempo for Van Eetvelt. Seems a five man group has formed with McNulty, Bagioli, and Goossens a short bit ahead of the chase.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Lotto pushing the tempo for Van Eetvelt. Seems a five man group has formed with McNulty, Bagioli, and Goossens a short bit ahead of the chase.

Martinelli also there by the looks? Seems that the pool of riders in this field who deal well with this weather is very limited.

 

[Samamba]

Martinelli also there by the looks? Seems that the pool of riders in this field who deal well with this weather is very limited.

Yeah he's there.

Really weird seeing Lotto make the race hard on a climb. Good to see Sweeny has his 2021 legs back tho. Had a horrible 2022.

 

[Samamba]

Lotto doing a bit too much of the work here. Going to be descided in the descent as expected. Who wants to take the biggest risks?

Intermarché just way smarter than Lotto here... Calmejane seriously getting motorpaced here lol.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Intermarché are unstoppable this week as it is, no need for the motor to help...