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Uran fighting for top 10 like he usually does. He can only overtake Hindley and Meintjes. Having said that they both will go with him at every stroke. They will defend top 10 with the life. LOL.
The points are very tight and many races are left - a lot can still happen. As an extreme example, Intermache still has 29 races on its schedule (excluding the world championships - up to 5 races).
These guys have been mostly disappointing this year. I kind of expected that with Padun, for a variety of reasons, but I'm not sure what Carthy's issue is. Carapaz is looking like a serious GC upgrade.
Carthy has never been that great outisde of the 2020 Vuelta but whatever issues he's had this year- he's hardly been alone among EF riders. Apart from Powless, Cort, Guerreiro and a new addition Piccolo, literally everyone else seems to be underperforming.
Thank you Rigo! Saves what was otherwise a disaster of a Vuelta for EF. I do hope if he wants to continue, EF retains him. The guy is pure class, and a great mentor for young riders.
He will probably be maintained at a lower salary. And yes He will be a good mentor for younger riders. The money now is going to Carapaz.
According to PCS, this is the startlist for both Canadian races:
EF Education-EasyPost
EF Education-EasyPost
- 161 CORT Magnus
- 162 BETTIOL Alberto
- 163 CARR Simon
- 164 GUERREIRO Ruben
- 165 PICCOLO Andrea
- 166 POWLESS Neilson
- 167 KEUKELEIRE Jens
With this squad, they have a good opportunity to earn a calm autumn in regards to the relegation threat.
It is certainly a stacked roster. I doubt the strategy though. Someone has to work. In that lineup only Keukeleire and Carr are obvious domestiques. Hopefully the headliners are honest with each other as to who is feeling well. I think a better strategy might have been to send one or two of the headliners to the Tour of Britain and skip Fourmies.. Their lineup there (Fourmies) is very weak. That race often ends in a sprint, and Van Den Berg has been horrible this year. A guy like Guerrero or Piccolo who might very well end up doing the work that a lesser domestique could handle in Canada could have scored well in ToB.
So close to getting 3rd but those last couple hundred meters always go wrong for this team, just like in 2016 when Uran got caught there almost winning the race.
Still some points gained on Lotto-Soudal and Israel but it felt like more was on the table.
Still some points gained on Lotto-Soudal and Israel but it felt like more was on the table.
There was definitely more on the table and not only for Guerreiro. Better luck in Montreal.
Bettiol was on the attack a lot too, dropping TJV at points, he looks to be in ominous form
EF’s stacked roster yields an 8th in Quebec and a 24th in Montreal. Not ideal. The one day classics team/management needs a complete overhaul. As much as I hate to say it, Bettiol is just not reliable since the chronic gastric issues. Obviously Powless and Piccolo crashing was unfortunate. I know the team was looking to get some breathing room this weekend, but if anything, it looks like they will be in a three way battle with Cofidis and Lotto for the last spot in WT. On paper, they should be OK, but their recent struggles in one day races don’t bode well.
Yeah I know Piccolo and Powless crashed, which is super unlucky, definitely knowing Piccolo's form, but damn this was dissapointing once again. Luckily for EF Uran got his best legs in the last Vuelta week or they would've been in throuble after all. WT wise they're still pretty safe (730 points is a really big gap knowing LTS misses their best guys for the hillier races) I would say but they need atleast some decent result the upcoming weeks.
I was about to ask why the result was so bad after the team had looked so strong 2 days ago but I see it was already mentioned that some of the riders crashed out.
A very poor season nonetheless. I think they would be in big trouble in the results from national teams didn't count (as they probably shouldn't).
A very poor season nonetheless. I think they would be in big trouble in the results from national teams didn't count (as they probably shouldn't).
Yep. Some disadvantages about the system for international teams like EF, but also some advantages, like the one you mentioned. A team like Lotto Soudal basically had 0 chance to take points in Euros, Worlds, even NCs, etc. because they mainly have Belgian riders who are not good enough to lead a top national team like Belgium.
EF’s hopes to avoid relegation now rest entirely on Italian one day races as they are sending an absolute feeble squad to the Belgian one day races. I understand they have to divide resources late in the year, but it also shows the glaring weakness of not having some sort of sprinter on the roster. I know they thought they addressed that by signing M. Van Den Berg during the last transfer season, but something has went horribly wrong with that. For a guy who beat De Lie a time or two last year, his season has been an unmitigated disaster. I’m guessing both parties are super excited to see that contract end.
Maybe you should look at the last 10kms - there was a crash that eliminated a huge number of the sprinters in the French points race of the day.
They took Powless to the hospital to get him checked out. He subsequently was able to leave without any significant injuries.
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I watched the race and I am aware of the crashes near the end. It does not change the fact that Van den berg’s season has been a big disappointment for him and the team. I could be wrong, but I think he has only two top ten finishes? (Edit- I was wrong- he has five. ) Not great for any sprinter- even a first year pro. To be clear, I think the problem is not limited to him- EF has not a lot to offer a sprinter in terms of support and lead out.
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EF may not have any lead out specialists but I think the problem runs much deeper than that.
They just don't seem to be able to train their sprinters properly. Van den Berg was beating De Lie last year more often than not. He should've amassed more results even with 0 lead out. I'm not talking about wins but he's barely ever in the top8 or something.
Chaves is alive. I wonder what is it with this kid. I understand that this race is not a WT race but the swing from Vuelta to here is too big. And even before July he was showing great results in high performance races.
It was curious that today he was riding like if he was training. Did not ask for rotation. Additionally he knew that he needed to score some points. Maybe some better results will come his way in the coming weeks with all those Italian classics.
It was curious that today he was riding like if he was training. Did not ask for rotation. Additionally he knew that he needed to score some points. Maybe some better results will come his way in the coming weeks with all those Italian classics.
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