Clasica San Sebastian

[WindLessBreeze]

Same day as the olympic road race? 3+2=1!

 

[SetonHallPirate]

No. August 14th. Why it's on a Tuesday is beyond my comprehension, however.

 

[El Pistolero]

No. August 14th. Why it's on a Tuesday is beyond my comprehension, however.

To not clash with the Eneco Tour.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

To not clash with the Eneco Tour.

Because no two other events on the WorldTour calendar occur at the same time?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Probably more likely because they didn't want to compete with the Olympics, more for coverage than for riders I presume since it suits completely different types of rider, but the Vuelta starts that Saturday, in Pamplona which isn't all that far from Donostia, so they can get a better startlist than being on some random day between the Tour and Vuelta

 

[El Pistolero]

Because no two other events on the WorldTour calendar occur at the same time?

If they want to miss out on some good classic specialists and riders like Contador sure...

 

[hrotha]

Probably more likely because they didn't want to compete with the Olympics, more for coverage than for riders I presume since it suits completely different types of rider, but the Vuelta starts that Saturday, in Pamplona which isn't all that far from Donostia, so they can get a better startlist than being on some random day between the Tour and Vuelta

Normally it would have been this Saturday, but it was indeed moved to avoid the Olympics. Still, I don't know why it couldn't be held on August 11th, the first day of the Semana Grande/Aste Nagusia, Eneco Tour be damned.

edit: besides, with only one day between Eneco and San Sebastián, I'm not sure how well those coming from the Benelux will be able to do. But August 15th, being a national holiday, might not have been suitable for some reason that escapes me but that might have to do with local police having a day off or whatever.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Because no two other events on the WorldTour calendar occur at the same time?

Paris-Nice / Tirreno Adriatico
E3 Harelbeke & Gent-Wevelgem /Volta a Catalunya
Dauphiné / Tour de Suisse
Tour de France/ Tour de Pologne
Vattenfalls and Ouest France and both Canadian Races / Vuelta a Espana

So that's not why...

 

[richtea]

might have to do with local police having a day off or whatever.

At this stage you can only laugh I guess

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Paris-Nice / Tirreno Adriatico
E3 Harelbeke & Gent-Wevelgem /Volta a Catalunya
Dauphiné / Tour de Suisse
Tour de France/ Tour de Pologne
Vattenfalls and Ouest France and both Canadian Races / Vuelta a Espana

So that's not why...

I knew that...I was being 110% sarcastic.

 

[El Pistolero]

Normally it would have been this Saturday, but it was indeed moved to avoid the Olympics. Still, I don't know why it couldn't be held on August 11th, the first day of the Semana Grande/Aste Nagusia, Eneco Tour be damned.

edit: besides, with only one day between Eneco and San Sebastián, I'm not sure how well those coming from the Benelux will be able to do. But August 15th, being a national holiday, might not have been suitable for some reason that escapes me but that might have to do with local police having a day off or whatever.

Last year Phil won and the year before Vino was second(wasn't at Eneco, but was in Belgium for a crit race the day before).
It's definitely a reason why they didn't do it on a Sunday or Saterday. And the national holiday will probably also have played a factor in deciding its date.

Ps: T-A is in trouble because it takes place at the same time as P-N and E3 Harelbeke and G-W aren't rivals of Catalunya anyway. Tour de Pologne only takes place during the Tour this year to not interfere with the Olympics. There are always a lot of cyclists who don't enter the Vuelta, so they need other races to prepare themselves. But no one gives a damn about them anyway. I'm fully aware that there are WT races that take place at the same time. Keep in mind that not every race organizer is a fool.

 

[SetonHallPirate]

Has anybody seen a list of wildcard teams for this event?

 

[Arnout]

No, but my estimation: Caja Rural, Andalucia, Saur and Cofidis.

 

[janraaskalt]

No, but my estimation: Caja Rural, Andalucia, Saur and Cofidis.

Caja Rural and Andalucia confirmed.
Entry list (including backnumbers): http://clasica-san-sebastian.diariovasco.com/equipos-ciclistas-clasica-san-sebastian.html

 

[icefire]

Samu will be back to racing at San Sebastián.

http://www.marca.com/2012/08/10/ciclismo/1344597994.html

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Vino doing Sebastian

 

[CasperVg]

Vino doing Sebastian

Heh, so far for Olympics ITT being his final race. Nothing against Vino, but what's it with riders saying "Will end my carreer this year" and finally going for like 4 more years (Moncoutié, Voigt, etc) ? Anyhow, would be nice to see him winning San Sebastian

 

[l.Harm]

Rabo looks strong

 

[greenedge]

Is Barredo riding it again?

 

[will10]

Vino doing Sebastian

I anticipate Blingokourov. In fact perhaps the Astana kit will just be gold.

 

[uphillstruggle]

I fancy Moreno to win this. Katusha have a very strong squad and their Spaniards will be coming into form.

 

[gustienordic]

I fancy Uran, Moser, or maybe LLS

 

[42x16ss]

I fancy Uran, Moser, or maybe LLS

Judging by his TdF form, LLS should be a favourite...

 

[rantanplan]

Preview with profile, fauvorites...

http://gp-canaldecastilla.blogspot.com.es/2012/08/copa-del-mundo-gpcc-clasica-de-san.html

 

[Sophistic]

is the run-in after the last downhill shorter than usual?