General News Thread

[theyoungest]

Kristoff and Nordhaug have outperfomed both this season, whilst the course doesnt suit Nordhaug it does Kristoff......

Yeah, in a flat bunch sprint I'd rate Kristoff above EBH atm... but both of them are unproven in a 260 km race, that's where Hushovd comes into play.

Anyway, it's a better position to be in than Holland, with zero sprinters

 

[Gloin22]

Kristoff and Nordhaug have outperfomed both this season, whilst the course doesnt suit Nordhaug it does Kristoff......

In small races yes, but on kinda hillier circuit with then finish easier like Olympics EBH will beat him easily imo.

EBH is faster than Kristoff imo. Maybe EBH didnt show it yet but last year proved it at the Tour. 2nd at Champs is no mean easy. Kristoff is yet to produce a win against higher class competition.

 

[Froome19]

Yeah, in a flat bunch sprint I'd rate Kristoff above EBH atm... but both of them are unproven in a 260 km race, that's where Hushovd comes into play.

Anyway, it's a better position to be in than Holland, with zero sprinters

In a way it is good to have all these climbers who are willing to attack on every bump and break the race up rather than staking your cards on a sprinter who doesnt perform, when it comes to the punchers anyone like Tjallingi, Ten Dam, Tankink all can find themselves in a good position and make a good placing.
Also that is not even including Gesink/Mollema/Kruiswijik who should be really strong on the back of his wins

 

[theyoungest]

In a way it is good to have all these climbers who are willing to attack on every bump and break the race up rather than staking your cards on a sprinter who doesnt perform, when it comes to the punchers anyone like Tjallingi, Ten Dam, Tankink all can find themselves in a good position and make a good placing.
Also that is not even including Gesink/Mollema/Kruiswijik who should be really strong on the back of his wins

Terpstra is the only one who is sure of a selection atm, and imo he's also the only one who can do something for Holland in this race. Might as well leave the other four at home. Or just bring Westra, for the TT.

And Hoogerland. Always Hoogerland.

 

[Froome19]

The article said nothing about the captain role. Imo it should be Edvald.


Edit: The riders have chosen Thor for "road captain", but the manager says that it is to early say who they will be riding for in the race.

So that means EBH is the leader...

In small races yes, but on kinda hillier circuit with then finish easier like Olympics EBH will beat him easily imo.

EBH is faster than Kristoff imo. Maybe EBH didnt show it yet but last year proved it at the Tour. 2nd at Champs is no mean easy. Kristoff is yet to produce a win against higher class competition.

Kristoff has been in better form so far and cycling is all about form, or is Gasparotto better than Gilbert on uphill finishes?

 

[norwegian]

Anyway, it can be a strong team.

 

[Froome19]

Terpstra is the only one who is sure of a selection atm, and imo he's also the only one who can do something for Holland in this race. Might as well leave the other four at home. Or just bring Westra, for the TT.

And Hoogerland. Always Hoogerland.

All these guys imo could make an impact if they find themselves in a small group and yeh I forgot Terpstra was confirmed he has been down to do the olympics for a while and he will be missing the tour and building up to it so he can definitely do something.
Hoogerland is good but he has that Pirazzi feeling to him...

 

[Gloin22]

So that means EBH is the leader...


Kristoff has been in better form so far and cycling is all about form, or is Gasparotto better than Gilbert on uphill finishes?

When it comes to Olympics EBH will have same shape or even better than Kritsoff though It's like saying Froome shouldnt go to Tour as he hasn't shown nothing this year. That's wrong as he'll be much in better shape at Tour ( if he doesnt have ilness ) than now.

 

[FF'Wilco]

As of today, May 28, through Wednesday, May 30, the Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team is hosting a "Talent Training Camp" specifically dedicated to the U23 and junior riders. After an initial positive experience in 2011, this year the team's staff has decided to host another camp. We invited 10 athletes from the U23 category and 6 junior riders from 7 different countries; Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Algeria and Australia. This riders will get the chance to get a hands-on, internal experience with Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team.

The athletes were selected based on their results, but also on the advice from the team's sports coaches and Sport Directors. However, due to various competitive commitments, not all of the invited athletes will be able to attend the camp. Those athletes who do attend will pedal side by side with some of the team's professional athletes during daily training regimens before joining individual and group meetings to determine the team's working methods.

"We believe that investing in young talent is a cornerstone for the team's medium and long term strategies," explains Sports Director Tom Steels, who heads this project. "Last year we had positive comments and feedback from participating athletes, so we considered it important to repeat the experience. The main goal is to give these young athletes a glimpse into the atmosphere on our team, to understand our organization and get close to the team's staff. These types of activities are important for the athletes, to gain understanding as to how a professional team is managed, but they are even more important to our staff. In fact, we can learn a lot from the younger generations, especially when it comes to managing an individual versus the group. These guys are part of a new generation of athletes who in just a few years will be taking the torch from today's generation. It is essential to understand their needs and requirements and perhaps to get some feedback from them to develop our own approach to the youth group.”

Omega-Pharma Press

Anyone have an information about names of the invited riders ?

 

[maltiv]

Kristoff has been in better form so far and cycling is all about form, or is Gasparotto better than Gilbert on uphill finishes?

No, he hasn't. Kristoff has won 1 sprint, 1 points jersey and has earned 318 cq points. Edvald has won 2 sprints, 1 hilly stage, 1 stage race, 3 points jersey's and has earned 572 cq points.

Also the sprint Edvald won in T-A, in a straight up sprint vs Greipel, Sagan etc, was far more impressive than any sprint Kristoff has ever done.

 

[Froome19]

No, he hasn't. Kristoff has won 1 sprint, 1 points jersey and has earned 318 cq points. Edvald has won 2 sprints, 1 hilly stage, 1 stage race, 3 points jersey's and has earned 572 cq points.

Also the sprint Edvald won in T-A, in a straight up sprint vs Greipel, Sagan etc, was far more impressive than any sprint Kristoff has ever done.

Stats arent everything.....
Kristoff has been in better form this year undeniably and you failed to mentions for example his 2nd in the Giro better than anything of EBHs.

After Norway though it looks like EBH is coming into form and I expect him to win a stage or 2 at the tour even with Cav and Wiggins, but i am rather dubious about his ability on longer one day races.

 

[Sylvester]

EBH is very unproven in 260 km races. If Hushovd does well at the Tour (and let's hope so for him), he'll be the team leader for sure, with a free role for EBH.

And I can't see Kristoff winning an olympic medal against such strong competition.

 

[maltiv]

Stats arent everything.....
Kristoff has been in better form this year undeniably and you failed to mentions for example his 2nd in the Giro better than anything of EBHs.

Undeniably? I would say that the stats show that Edvald has been better undeniably, because he has been more successful in all aspects (more victories, more cq points, more top 10's, more jerseys, more world tour points...). I highly disagree that Kristoff's 2nd place in the Giro was more impressive. He beat Renshaw, Modolo and Favilli that day, not exactly a very impressive list. In Edvald's sprint victory (remember, a victory is a million times better than a second place) he beat Greipel, Sagan and Farrar...

Also worthy to note that Kristoff has 51 race days, whilst Edvald has 28.

 

[Froome19]

Undeniably? I would say that the stats show that Edvald has been better undeniably, because he has been more successful in all aspects (more victories, more cq points, more top 10's, more jerseys, more world tour points...). I highly disagree that Kristoff's 2nd place in the Giro was more impressive. He beat Renshaw, Modolo and Favilli that day, not exactly a very impressive list. In Edvald's sprint victory (remember, a victory is a million times better than a second place) he beat Greipel, Sagan and Farrar...

Also worthy to note that Kristoff has 51 race days, whilst Edvald has 28.

When comparing form, a victory is merely a 1st place and only one above 2nd.
Indeed EBH beat an impressive field in TA, but he is naturally faster than Kristoff who I believe should branch out a bit, thus results and specifically sprint results are irrelevant in determining the stronger rider atm.
That Kristoff has looked stronger than EBH is plain fact when you compare EBH's monuments riders where he was pretty poor and even though Kristoff didnt look get better results there, he showed with his Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde perfomances that he was strong at that time.
As I said the only thing EBH has got going for him is his TON win but that was against a weaker field than anything Kristoff has raced this year.

 

[Justin Pain]

Anyone have an information about names of the invited riders ?

Some names:
Daniel Hoelgaard
Markus Hoelgaard
Yves Lampaert
Mads Würtz Schmidt
Jay McCarthy
Sean de Bie

 

[maltiv]

When comparing form, a victory is merely a 1st place and only one above 2nd.
Indeed EBH beat an impressive field in TA, but he is naturally faster than Kristoff who I believe should branch out a bit, thus results and specifically sprint results are irrelevant in determining the stronger rider atm.
That Kristoff has looked stronger than EBH is plain fact when you compare EBH's monuments riders where he was pretty poor and even though Kristoff didnt look get better results there, he showed with his Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde perfomances that he was strong at that time.
As I said the only thing EBH has got going for him is his TON win but that was against a weaker field than anything Kristoff has raced this year.

You're completely off the mark. Kristoff is a million times faster than EBH naturally. In a sprint from a group ride, Kristoff would smash Edvald every time. However, he's not even nearly as strong and comes to the finish line with much worse legs. For comparison, Kristoff has a VO2 max of around 80, whilst Edvald measured 90 recently (higher than anyone else on Sky).

Edvald was 5th in G-W, made the decisive group in M-SR, climbed with the leaders in RVV (he was only dropped on the flat) and was the strongest rider in ToN. What on earth has Kristoff done that makes you think he's so strong? In De Panne he was only up there in the sprints, he never did anything else as you seem to think. He was far behind on the climbs and only barely made the splits even if the stages were fairly easy.

 

[Herr Katt]

Found these clips on youtube. Very funny. Especially the one with cancellara http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2duy6kDu5Q&feature=related

 

[The Hitch]

I know this probably does not belong in the general news section (as in it is too big for this thread and should have a thread in and of itself), but your olympic champion has joined twitter

https://twitter.com/#!/samusanchezgonz/following

 

[ingsve]

Some names:
Daniel Hoelgaard
Markus Hoelgaard
Yves Lampaert
Mads Würtz Schmidt
Jay McCarthy
Sean de Bie

The reporting mentions an Omega Pharma-Quick Steps U-23 team. Which team is that? Is it one of the registered continental teams or do they have an U-23 team that is not registered with the UCI perhaps?

 

[greenedge]

Kristoff and Nordhaug have outperfomed both this season, whilst the course doesnt suit Nordhaug it does Kristoff......

I am just surprised there is no Rasch as Road Captain.

Also EBH's sprint at T-A this year was great in my view. Kristoff will not win the Olympics/ even if he rides the TDF will not get the backing of the team so much to go for the sprints.

 

[greenedge]

Stats arent everything.....
Kristoff has been in better form this year undeniably and you failed to mentions for example his 2nd in the Giro better than anything of EBHs.

After Norway though it looks like EBH is coming into form and I expect him to win a stage or 2 at the tour even with Cav and Wiggins, but i am rather dubious about his ability on longer one day races.

EBH doesn't want to be Cav's domestique all year round which is probably why he did not go to the Giro. He also ( attempted ) to peak for the Northern Classics whereas Cav only did for M-SR.

 

[janraaskalt]

The reporting mentions an Omega Pharma-Quick Steps U-23 team. Which team is that? Is it one of the registered continental teams or do they have an U-23 team that is not registered with the UCI perhaps?

http://www.efc-omegapharma-quickstep.com/

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Trofeo Melinda, June 2. Provisional startlist
Rebellin will defend his crown of thorns.

MERIDIANA - KAMEN
1 REBELLIN Davide
2 ROSSI Enrico
3 GIALLORENZO Mariano
4 DI LORENZO Alberto
5 BIONDO Maurizio
6 CESARO Roberto
7 GRUBIC Luka
8 BONCA Blaz

LIQUIGAS - CANNONDALE
11 AGOSTINI Stefano
12 CAPECCHI Eros
13 CARUSO. Damiano
14 MOSER Moreno
15 OSS Daniel
16 SAGAN. Juraj
17 SALERNO Cristiano
18 SARMIENTO TUNARROSA Cayetano José

ASTANA
21 GAVAZZI Francesco
22 GASPAROTTO Enrico
23 DYACHENKO Alexsandr
24 KASHECHKIN Andrey
25 KISERLOVSKI Robert
26 NEPOMNYACHSHIY Yevgeniy
27 RENEV Sergey
28 KANGERT Tanel

FARNESE VINI - SELLE ITALIA
31 POZZATO Filippo
32 GATTO Oscar
33 GIORDANI Leonardo
34 RABOTTINI Matteo
35 RICCI BITTI Davide
36 FAILLI Francesco
37 MAZZANTI Luca
38 CACCIA Diego

LAMPRE - ISD
41 ANACONA GOMEZ Winner
42 BERTAGNOLLI Leonardo
43 BUTS Vitaliy
44 GRAZIATO Massimo
45 KVACHUK Oleksandr
46 SHEYDYK Oleksander
47 MARZANO Marco
48 MORI Manuele

KATUSHA
51 BELKOV Maxim
52 CARUSO Giampaolo
53 HORRACH RIPPOLL Juan
54 KRITSKIY Timofey
55 PAOLINI Luca
56 SPILAK Simon
57 VANTOMME Maxime
58 KOLOBNEV Alexandr

ANDRONI - VENEZUELA
61 BERTOLINI Alessandro
62 UBETO APONTE Miguel
63 GIL MARTINEZ Tomas Aurelio
64 MONSALVE Jonathan
65 CHIARINI Riccardo
66 MORENO ALLUE Francisco Javier
67 MANCUSO Salvatore
68 SANTORO Antonio

ACQUA & SAPONE
71 CIAVATTA Paolo
72 CODOL Massimo
73 CORIONI Claudio
74 DI PAOLO Francesco
75 DONATI Alessandro
76 MASCIARELLI Simone
77 MIHOLJEVIC Vladimir
78 REDA Francesco

COLNAGO CSF BARDIANI
81 POZZOVIVO Domenico
82 BRAMBILLA Gianluca
83 PIRAZZI Stefano
84 CANOLA Marco
85 PASQUALON Andrea
86 LOCATELLI Stefano
87 DICORRADO Andrea
88 BATTAGLIN Enrico

UTENSILNORD - NAMED
91 BERDOS Oleg
92 BAILETTI Paolo
93 BOSISIO Gabriele
94 FEDI Matteo
95 GIRARDI Edoardo
96 MUCELLI Davide
97 ROCCHETTI Frederico
98 VILA ERRANDONEA Patxi Javier

TEAM IDEA
101 BARLA Luca
102 BOIFAVA Simone
103 DE MARIA Giuseppe
104 DODI Luca
105 FRAPPORTI Marco
106 KARIMOV Ruslan
107 PALINI Andrea
108 RATTI Aristide

TEAM NIPPO
111 ARREDONDO MORENO Julian David
112 BALIANI Fortunato
113 FRUSTO Henry
114 GAROFOLO Vincenzo
115 ZDANOV Alexander
116 CAMPAGNARO Simone
117 TESTA Antonio
118 KOMORI Ryohei

TIROL CYCLING
121 FANKHAUSER Clemens
122 FURDI Blaz
123 GOLCER Jure
124 OBKIRCHER Marc
125 PRAXMARER Stefan
126 SOKOLL Christoph
127 TOTSCHNIG Harald
128 WÖHRER David

ATLAS PERSONAL - JAKROO
131 ADDY Raphael
132 BALDO Nicolas
133 HENGGELER Daniel
134 KUSZTOR Peter
135 LANG Pirmin
136 ROSCH David
137 SALZINGER Florian
138 SCHELLING Patrick

LEOPARD - TREK CONTINENTAL
141 ALAFACI Eugenio
142 BRAMBILLA Giorgio
143 EZQUERRA Jesus
144 HOFSTETTER Olivier
145 KERN Julian
146 SILVESTRE Fabio
147 PLIUSCHIN Alexandr

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Theme song for tour of singakarak.
http://www.wikiupload.com/1CKKW7IU1B2WJ0J

 

[LaFlorecita]

Banco Santander want to build a team around Alberto for 2013. They'll even try to get Tiralongo out of his contract earlier.

http://www.cyclingtime.it/index.php/news/2656-contador-riis-vuelta-e-poi-dirci-addio