Lesser known races 2024 edition

[Valv.Piti]

I wonder how much is down to dollars and how much is down to "oh my god Visma and UAE are so far ahead, even though they are stacked I will progress infinite the next couple of years and move up in the hierarchy".

 

[ingsve]

I saw a comment on twitter that said that Nordhagen is only 50kg. If that's true then that sort of explains that he might be a little behind on ITTs vs other pros. Even with a good engine that is a little light weight to be able to push a high enough gear on the flat.

 

[Penninepeddler]

Volta in Lisbon was fun enough... albeit the spring was pretty boring.. slightly more uphill than looked on paper and Aviludo - Louletano - Loulé Concelho seemed to get everything right in last few km for a lay-up for Tivani.

Fun takeaways:

Tivani actually seemed super, super hyped. First pro race win in Europe and being in (almost) the centre of Lisbon was a pretty big crowd. I guess biggest moment of his career alongside riding for UAE years back as a stagiaire

Colin Stüssi should have a sun cream sponsor. Incredible how white that man is considering the weather in the last 3 days.

There was an award for the top Portugueser in the stage. Which was the award that got the most cheers aha.

 

[RedheadDane]

You know what's unusual about Nordhagen winning on PDBF yesterday? Normally Visma/Jumbo riders get beaten on PDBF!

 

[Mayomaniac]

Volta in Lisbon was fun enough... albeit the spring was pretty boring.. slightly more uphill than looked on paper and Aviludo - Louletano - Loulé Concelho seemed to get everything right in last few km for a lay-up for Tivani.

Fun takeaways:

Tivani actually seemed super, super hyped. First pro race win in Europe and being in (almost) the centre of Lisbon was a pretty big crowd. I guess biggest moment of his career alongside riding for UAE years back as a stagiaire

Colin Stüssi should have a sun cream sponsor. Incredible how white that man is considering the weather in the last 3 days.

There was an award for the top Portugueser in the stage. Which was the award that got the most cheers aha.

We really didn't know about Stüssi's level before the race because the big MTF in the Österreichrundfahrt got cancelled. That said, he was as fast as 2022 Figueiredo on that final climb and did 6.45-6.5 w/kg for the duration of the climb.

 

[Squire]

So are we looking at another Visma fail today in Czechia?

 

[Tim Cahill]

I quite like Smith commentating on his own, doesn't sound like he's shouting to try and get a word in over Carlton for once, ambient commentary is what it should be.

 

[RedheadDane]

So are we looking at another Visma fail today in Czechia?

Doesn't look like it.
Meanwhile the riders managed to crash uphill.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Gloag hasn't raced in almost a year after being hit by a car in training so it's good to see him attacking here. It's a good move at the right time I think, UAE don't have too many horses, Novak is gone, VSL is tired and Ulissi/Hirschi don't want to pace for each other.

 

[Squire]

Gloag hasn't raced in almost a year after being hit by a car in training so it's good to see him attacking here. It's a good move at the right time I think, UAE don't have too many horses, Novak is gone, VSL is tired and Ulissi/Hirschi don't want to pace for each other.

Yeah, good move. Hirschi might not like too much of a tempo on this climb. Not sure he can defend his lead. And JSM looks good in the favourites group!

 

[Squire]

Nevermind. JSM being dropped now.

 

[Offline]

Nevermind. JSM being dropped now.

JSM is overrated. He was just a old rider in the U23 cat.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Exceptional hydroelectric plant.

 

[Squire]

JSM is overrated. He was just a old rider in the U23 cat.

2nd in l'Avenir and and podiuming this exact climb in the Czech Tour as a second-year U23. Wouldn't say he was old then.

 

[Squire]

Hirschi impressive on this very serious climb. But I think Gloag has this!

 

[RedheadDane]

That was certainly a way to announce your return to racing!

 

[Tim Cahill]

Márton Dina for ATT investments seems like he's having quite the year, 9th today beating some very decent guys.

 

[tobydawq]

Wow, that is some win after more than a year on the sideline!

 

[Mayomaniac]

I saw a comment on twitter that said that Nordhagen is only 50kg. If that's true then that sort of explains that he might be a little behind on ITTs vs other pros. Even with a good engine that is a little light weight to be able to push a high enough gear on the flat.

Nah, a 50kg guy wouldn't be as good in XC skiing as he was, you need some upper body mass (and core strength), even more for classic skiing than for skating. Granted, he is a thin guy with an absurd engine, but not that thin. Probably more of a Pidcock/Yates twins built.
I can believe under 60kg, but looking at his TT results in the junior ranks he can't be that light.

 

[ingsve]

Looks like the Peloton has trouble keeping the break in check in Tour of Alsace. Gap was down to 50s at one point but now up to 2:50 with 20k to go. Nordhagen needs to keep the break to 1 minute or so to keep yellow.

 

[Samamba]

Looks like the Peloton has trouble keeping the break in check in Tour of Alsace. Gap was down to 50s at one point but now up to 2:50 with 20k to go. Nordhagen needs to keep the break to 1 minute or so to keep yellow.

Wtf is Visma doing? I mean Simmons basically? Why is he riding in front? I would not be happy if I was Nordhagen. He's team is letting him down here.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Figueiredo once again pulling from the start of the climb and Moreira in 2nd position, not Nych, who'd offer a much larger slipstream than the small climber Figueiredo...

Also, what is the point of train riding instead of sending riders on the attack after Sussy Stüssi demolished them on the first MTF? The team name has changed, but those are still Efapel tactics.

Now at least Nych is covering moves.

 

[Ricco']

Figueiredo once again pulling from the start of the climb and Moreira in 2nd position, not Nych, who'd offer a much larger slipstream than the small climber Figueiredo...

Also, what is the point of train riding instead of sending riders on the attack after Sussy Stüssi demolished them on the first MTF? The team name has changed, but those are still Efapel tactics.

Now at least Nych is covering moves.

Sabgal is the portuguese Ineos.

Very good when they were Efapel (Sky), lost their edge when switching names but they still think they are the reference.

 

[RedheadDane]

Nice win by Haquin.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Mauri Moreira is dead.
Alfonso unchained!