Challenge Mallorca 2023 (January 25-29)

[Devil's Elbow]

The difference in intensity in the sprint preparation between this and San Juan is palpable.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

EF and Euskaltel driving the chase for their non-existent sprinters with Intermarché, which should doom Politt.

Ridiculous final kilometre, Van den Berg by far the smartest.

Seem to remember last year's race having an actual final straight? If so, why did they change it?

 

[Potomac]

LMAO,,,,OK .....EF the sprinting team

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I was waiting for a nice little sprint, then all of a sudden the finish line appeared and it was all over.

 

[Ricco']

This was almost worst than the Benidorm CX World Cup final straight.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Euskaltel are really working hard to not become the worst ProTeam again this season.

 

[Samamba]

EF finally using Van den Berg how they should use him. Underrated rider. Not the speed of the top sprinters but he can climb pretty good.

 

[Berflamand]

Lol what was that, a finishline of 30 meters?

 

[tobydawq]

Lol what was that, a finishline of 30 meters?

I don't think the finish line was that long

 

[Berflamand]

I don't think the finish line was that long

Hah my bad!

The finishline was almost as long as the finishing straight.

 

[Volderke]

It really was a CX finish: the sprint was for the last curve and having some skills not to slide in that last curve.
A quick check of the finish would have made that clear, but it seems some of the sprinters weren't briefed / didn't do their homework.

 

[Berflamand]

It really was a CX finish: the sprint was for the last curve and having some skills not to slide in that last curve.
A quick check of the finish would have made that clear, but it seems some of the sprinters weren't briefed / didn't do their homework.

Apparently the roadbook said that there should have been at least 200 meter after the last corner but they put the finish line 100 meter earlier to avoid 2 speed bumps.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1618632706535100421

View: https://twitter.com/BenjiNaesen/status/1618632706535100421?cxt=HHwWisDU7dz3xPYsAAAA

 

[RedheadDane]

Apparently the roadbook said that there should have been at least 200 meter after the last corner but they put the finish line 100 meter earlier to avoid 2 speed bumps.

"Damned if you do, damned if you don't!"

 

[Volderke]

Apparently the roadbook said that there should have been at least 200 meter after the last corner but they put the finish line 100 meter earlier to avoid 2 speed bumps.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1618632706535100421

View: https://twitter.com/BenjiNaesen/status/1618632706535100421?cxt=HHwWisDU7dz3xPYsAAAA

so no riders to blame, but how was the finish last year?

 

[Berflamand]

so no riders to blame, but how was the finish last year?

Looks a lot longer on the winning pictures at least.

 

[search]

Looks a lot longer on the winning pictures at least.

last year the finish was in Port d'Alcúdia, this year in Alcúdia, so ~2k away

 

[Salvarani]

Anyone now if they will go over Col de Puig tomorrow?

It was reported earlier this week that the pass was closed due to snow.

 

[Anderis]

EF and Euskaltel driving the chase for their non-existent sprinters with Intermarché, which should doom Politt.

Van den Berg must be the best non-existent sprinter in the world!

 

[Samamba]

Anyone now if they will go over Col de Puig tomorrow?

It was reported earlier this week that the pass was closed due to snow.

No communication that the parcours is changed so I'm assuming yes. Hopefully it doesn't snow overnight.

 

[Lequack]

Half hour before the finish: "EF why are you riding, you knuckleheads!"
Finish: "Oh, good job!"

 

[Squire]

Don't think Trentin will start today. He was taken to hospital for X-rays after a heavy crash. Fortunately, no broken bones for him.

Seems like he started, so hopefully nothing too serious. Did DNF however.

I was trying to figure out why Hugh Carthy of all people was pulling.

If only you had read my super scientific and well-reasoned preview!

Reduced sprint tomorrow. Girmay vs the Quicksteppers vs Trentin for the win. Van den Berg seems to be in good shape too, and maybe Kanter can survive. Will be interesting to see how Bouhanni goes in his comeback.

 

[Jumbo Visma Fan :)]

They should’ve kept the same finish as last year, but still a well deserved win for Van Der Berg.

 

[search]

Seems like he started, so hopefully nothing too serious. Did DNF however.

Trentin didn't start, PCS and Firstcycling both got that wrong.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1618522116479148032

View: https://twitter.com/TeamEmiratesUAE/status/1618522116479148032


also listed with an "N" (for no participation or whatever in Spanish) on the page of the timing guys

Edosof

www.edosof.com

 

[Samamba]

There was some early action today in Mallorca with an elite group (Alaphilippe, Kamna, Wellens, McNulty, Carthy, ...) in the attack but everything came back together. Now Uijtdebroecks, Paesschens, Nieri, Ries, Amezqueta & Etxeberria are in front. 50" ahead of the bunch with UAE controlling.

Bad weather, descents are dangerous. 15k till the bottom of the Puig Major.

 

[Samamba]

Uijtdebroeckx and Goossens (who jumped to the front group on the descent) with a 1'12 advantage on the peloton now. Almost halfway the Puig Major. Won't havbe images till they're already over the top.