Lesser known races 2024 edition

[Squire]

They are not part of the 24 confirmed teams on the Avenir website and already saw someone mentioning their absence on twitter earlier today.

EDIT: apparently "no money".

After digging around a bit, I came across this article from back in March: https://www.tv2.no/sport/ma-kutte-i...-lokaler-som-er-seks-ganger-sa-dyre/16527858/

Where it's already mentioned that they won't send teams to l'Avenir or the European championships. This because the cycling association has moved into new and shiny offices next to the new velodrome in Asker, with more than six times more expensive rent than the previous headquarters.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Stüssi is ready to defend the title.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Figueiredo not at his best after his injury.
Moreira looking better than last year, but since when is Stüssi peaking for the Volta?

 

[Mayomaniac]

Carvalho and Luis Fernandez defending their national pride!

 

[Tim Cahill]

How is Colin Stussi cooking these guys so hard, had heard his name mentioned like once in his entire career before last years display.

Career resurgence at 30, as is the Volta way.

 

[Mayomaniac]

So why didn't Nych work before Figueiredo? Old school Efapel tactics...

 

[Mayomaniac]

How is Colin Stussi cooking these guys so hard, hadn't heard his name mentioned like once in his entire career before last years display.

Career resurgence at 30, as is the Volta way.

Team Voralrberg is the Volta version of an Austrian CT team (see how De la Parte dominated the Österreichrundfahrt when he rode for them).
Also, the Volta ain't what it used to be...

 

[Samu Cuenca]

We'll see how Stüssi does in the remaining stages, but it definitely looks like he's stepped up since last year.

 

[Penninepeddler]

Colin Stüssi is coming for his fellow Swiss David Blanco ahaha.

 

[Tim Cahill]

This is what happens when one guy doesn't get the memo

Lance's 1999 Tour vibes, get this lad on the front of the Visma train they'll have Pogacar back in no time.

 

[zlev11]

Swiss Alarcon

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Top 20 for Barbosa Jr. Give him another 5 to 10 years and he might be up there.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

29th for Freddy Watts, it‘s a different race now.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I didn't clock the exact time, but that wasn't a slow ascent...

 

[Mayomaniac]

29th for Freddy Watts, it‘s a different race now.

First race after a radial fracture and he pulled nearly the whole climb until Stüssi attacked. Still, without having to do all the work he probably finishes ahead of Nych, who was suffering already early on the climb.
Also, not that bad for Moreira on those steep ramps, clearly way better than last year. How different is the race with him still being 8th on such a MTF...

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Team Voralrberg is the Volta version of an Austrian CT team (see how De la Parte dominated the Österreichrundfahrt when he rode for them).
Also, the Volta ain't what it used to be...

You mean no more thermonuclear portuguese climbers?
***, might actually watch the Olympics instead

 

[Mayomaniac]

You mean no more thermonuclear portuguese climbers?
***, might actually watch the Olympics instead

Sadly yes.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

You mean no more thermonuclear portuguese climbers?

There is Almeida, but sadly not in this race.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

There is Almeida, but sadly not in this race.

There's one word I wouldn't use to explain his climbing style and it's thermonuclear.
He's more like the Russian scorched earth tactic.

 

[ingsve]

Nice to see some good form from Nordhagen. Looking forward to a climbing masterclass from him tomorrow.

And yes from what I've heard it's also the Norwegian Federation that is having money trouble and something like l'Avenir will always have to take a back seat to Olympics, European and World Championships in terms of where they have to prioritize using the money. Very sad though given the recent history for Norway in the race. I would have even wanted to see Johannes Kulset in l'Avenir again.

Can't they give him a spot on the UCI team? Isn't that for poor countries who can't afford their own teams...

 

[Mayomaniac]

About the Volta level, back in 2022 Figueiredo did the whole climb in 26:52, today Okamika, who finished 1:01 down, did the whole climb in 27:51.
Source: https://www.strava.com/segments/32585326?filter=overall

Considering the fact that there was sidewind on the flatter section before the final ramp and the fact that Stüssi went early his performance is really impressive, even if the heat really wasn't a factor today (overall below 30 degrees C during the stage, rookie numbers for the Volta.

 

[RJH]

A few pros to actually test Widar and others, then it's easier to see what Widars level actually is. It's hard to tell right now if he's actually that good or if the competition is a bit meeh.

I have the feeling Widar is really that good. His numerous dominant victories tell this. He‘s rather small and thin, and it‘ll be interesting to see how far he can still go.

He looks likeable, maybe he‘s „the next Remco“…

 

[tobydawq]

Can't they give him a spot on the UCI team? Isn't that for poor countries who can't afford their own teams...

Norway is known for their poverty. Maybe the cost of making a petition is too daunting for them.

 

[RedheadDane]

Break in Wallonie:

1		4	JANSSENS Jimmy	1:11
2		14	LOUVEL Matis	17:48
3		25	MACIEJUK Filip	23:35
4		26	KOCH Jonas	29:32
5		32	DE BONDT Dries	32:47
6		43	GRUEL Thibaud	15:20
7		51	CALMEJANE Lilian	9:35
8		52	HERREGODTS Rune	3:05
9		63	KESSLER Cole	29:31
10		75	SERRANO Gonzalo	11:27
11		94	MEENS Johan	1:34
12		104	SCHULTZ Nick	3:13
13		136	SOUPE Geoffrey	35:22
14		141	BOHLI Tom	35:22
15		156	SKAARSETH Anders	12:11
16		171	ISERBYT Eli	11:27

Peloton at 2:14

 

[RedheadDane]

Over in Czechia, they're climbing. And unlike in Wallonie the other day, we're not just getting shots of trees.

You can see for yourself who's in what groups and how far in front/behind, coz the coverage has started.

And the coverage of Wallonie will start in a few minutes.