Lesser known races 2023 edition

[Pinot's goat]

Mont Ventoux startlist is quite weak. IPT are the only team who are bringing a decent team, could end up with 3 or 4 riders in the top positions. Only competition are Rodriguez and maybe Martinez but he look tired at the end of Dauphine.

Just noticed Rubio is riding.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Mont Ventoux startlist is quite weak. IPT are the only team who are bringing a decent team, could end up with 3 or 4 riders in the top positions. Only competition are Rodriguez and maybe Martinez but he look tired at the end of Dauphine.

Just noticed Rubio is riding.

If Sosa has one of his special Sosa days he could win this one. Curious to see if Pira and the Ethiopian Rujano Hailemichael will show something.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

If Sosa has one of his special Sosa days he could win this one. Curious to see if Pira and the Ethiopian Rujano Hailemichael will show something.

Too much climbing before the MTF for Sosa surely?

 

[Mayomaniac]

Too much climbing before the MTF for Sosa surely?

Comes down to how hard it's ridden before the final climb, back in 2018 he beat Ciccone on this stage:

 

[Pinot's goat]

Comes down to how hard it's ridden before the final climb, back in 2018 he beat Ciccone on this stage:

I feel like he was a slightly more reliable rider back then but if he does have a golden day he should have a shot.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I feel like he was a slightly more reliable rider back then but if he does have a golden day he should have a shot.

Oh yeah, I also get the feeling that Savio Sosa was a lot more reliable in short stage races in general.

 

[DNP-Old]

Race shortened, only one ascent of Ventoux remaining. I’ve therefore seen enough, Ivanito Sosa will win.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

Race shortened, only one ascent of Ventoux remaining. I’ve therefore seen enough, Ivanito Sosa will win.

Huh? Any reason why?
Martinez FTW.

 

[Taxus4a]

Huh? Any reason why?
Martinez FTW.

The storm, maybe strong wind, I am not sure..But the storm at the finish hour could be strong or just gone..so I think is early to take that dessisions..... A pity, becouse after thursday very good weather...

 

[Taxus4a]

If they can climb once, they can climb two..and if is hard for someone...they can leave the race...This is quite stupid.

I can understand they say now...if weather conditions are imposible at the end of the race...and I dont think so....the race will finish at chalet Reinad...but to allow to climb once and dont let the second part is quite stupid,,,and if they are going to climb just one, choose the harder part, the typical climb, not this....

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Bad weather so I assume they are afraid the downhill will be dangerous.

Short stage and the "easy" way up, so I expect it to be close.
- Israel have a solid team, Woods should perhaps be the biggest favorite to win.
- Movistar has Sosa and Rubio.
- Arkea has a decent team with Rodriguez, Champoussin.
- FDJ should be considered with Thompson and Martinez.
- Cofidis has Jesus Herrada.
- EF got a bunch of unpredictable guys that sometimes climbs well.
- Total is here with Latour.
- Uno-X has not a strong team, but it will be interesting to see what Johannes Kulset can do. Maybe top 10?

 

[Taxus4a]

I think the want to avopid the first part of the descent, just in case of heavy rain or winds there at the moment of the race...but you dont know now...it is just about 3 km dangerous....later, in the forest...to have rain on a road descending is part of cycling.

 

[Taxus4a]

Bad weather so I assume they are afraid the downhill will be dangerous.

Short stage and the "easy" way up, so I expect it to be close.
- Israel have a solid team, Woods should perhaps be the biggest favorite to win.
- Movistar has Sosa and Rubio.
- Arkea has a decent team with Rodriguez, Champoussin.
- FDJ should be considered with Thompson and Martinez.
- Cofidis has Jesus Herrada.
- EF got a bunch of unpredictable guys that sometimes climbs well.
- Total is here with Latour.
- Uno-X has not a strong team, but it will be interesting to see what Johannes Kulset can do. Maybe top 10?

Rubio shoud be the main favourite. He come to win a stage and 11th at GG at the Giro---a Giro for ITT riders...this is for climbers.

 

[Taxus4a]

The wind speed is 4 kilometre p/hour (light air), direction West.

I cant understand the decission...Hope the can change still at the botton of the first climb

conditions at good at the start, so cant they choose another longer parcours, even with just one climb to ventoux?? less than 100 km is for juniors...

 

[Taxus4a]

I am looking at the forecast ot the top...it is amazing, no strong wind predicted today...just the risk, just the risk, of storm...but small risk to fall lot of rain...I cant understand this.

 

[Ricco']

Sponsor woes?

Although they are different race organizations, CIC also gave their name to the Tour des Pyrénées last weekend and had their image glued to that safety fiasco. Maybe they don't want the risk of something happening also in this race regarding safety.

 

[Mayomaniac]

And they even use the meh side of the climb instead of the classic one, they should have at least changed that one.

 

[Scarponi]

Should just turn it into a MTT

 

[Taxus4a]

And they even use the meh side of the climb instead of the classic one, they should have at least changed that one.

And very easy....Thay can go to Sault as they are going to do, and later come bach to col the la Gabelle...for another way, much shorter..just descent (no problem even with heavy rain) and just climb but the final normal part of Ventoux...very easy to do..and very similar profile to the initial..not the first climb to Ventoux, but similar Km and 700 desnivel less, not 1500 as now...

 

[Nick2413]

Sponsor woes?

Although they are different race organizations, CIC also gave their name to the Tour des Pyrénées last weekend and had their image glued to that safety fiasco. Maybe they don't want the risk of something happening also in this race regarding safety.

Time to get out of sponsoring bike races then

If weather really is fine this sounds ridiculous, might as well not even bother.

 

[RedheadDane]

Sponsor woes?

Although they are different race organizations, CIC also gave their name to the Tour des Pyrénées last weekend and had their image glued to that safety fiasco. Maybe they don't want the risk of something happening also in this race regarding safety.

Does CIC actually get a say in these things? They can't really withdraw their sponsorship with immediate effect.

Anyway:

1		22	RETAILLEAU Valentin
2		91	ETXEBERRIA Asier
3		103	CASTRILLO Pablo
4		143	GARCIA Jose Maria
5		153	DANÈS Léo

Peloton at 2:24
54 Ks to go.

 

[Tim Cahill]

What a shame, was looking forward to that.

Not hard enough for the high mountain climbers then, ez Woods win if he has any form.

 

[RedheadDane]

No coverage? It's not on GCN...

 

[Tim Cahill]

Should be live in half an hour, not on GCN but there will be a stream somewhere

 

[Taxus4a]

Froome is four on the line to work for Israel, but that doenst means anything for sure.