Lesser known races thread 2022

[Devil's Elbow]

BikeExchange completely collapsed today in Estonia with only Groves in third staying in the top-10. If they can't farm points in that small a race they will struggle to stay in the golden ticket spots. Norman Vahtra won the stage after a duo attack with Evaldas Siskevicius, who took the GC - good to see both of them alive and kicking after having to drop down to the continental level this year (incidentally both ride for Roubaix but were with their respective national teams here).

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

BikeExchange completely collapsed today in Estonia with only Groves in third staying in the top-10. If they can't farm points in that small a race they will struggle to stay in the golden ticket spots. Norman Vahtra won the stage after a duo attack with Evaldas Siskevicius, who took the GC - good to see both of them alive and kicking after having to drop down to the continental level this year (incidentally both ride for Roubaix but were with their respective national teams here).

The both of them worked together brilliantly, Vahtra was given the stage and Siskevicius took the GC.

 

[postmanhat]

Former legend of 'most top tens without a win', Amaury Capiot gets his second win of the season in Mayenne, only the third of his career. Never watched this race until this edition, and really enjoying it. Great racing and scenery.

 

[yaco]

BikeExchange completely collapsed today in Estonia with only Groves in third staying in the top-10. If they can't farm points in that small a race they will struggle to stay in the golden ticket spots. Norman Vahtra won the stage after a duo attack with Evaldas Siskevicius, who took the GC - good to see both of them alive and kicking after having to drop down to the continental level this year (incidentally both ride for Roubaix but were with their respective national teams here).

Yes, BEX had to eat humble pie but it was a strange race for them to enter - A 4.5km prologue can always throw up strange results, though BEX finished 2nd/3rd/4th on the stage , the second stage was had a super technical last 1.5km with an uphill finish on wet cobbles in which riders struggled for traction, while the third stage was an AN Post type stage - They managed to obtain around 100 UCI points, although they could have gained more if they rode Norway or some one day races.

 

[postmanhat]

Yes, BEX had to eat humble pie but it was a strange race for them to enter - A 4.5km prologue can always throw up strange results, though BEX finished 2nd/3rd/4th on the stage , the second stage was had a super technical last 1.5km with an uphill finish on wet cobbles in which riders struggled for traction, while the third stage was an AN Post type stage - They managed to obtain around 100 UCI points, although they could have gained more if they rode Norway or some one day races.

Didn't they enter it mainly as an adios to Tanel Kangert's career? Lovely gesture if so, considering he's only been there for just over one season.

 

[yaco]

Didn't they enter it mainly as an adios to Tanel Kangert's career? Lovely gesture if so, considering he's only been there for just over one season.

I believe it was a reason - Anyway reading this thread one would think BEX has had a shocking year - Yes they are awful in the Classics, however they've won 12 races with 5 at WWT level.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

I believe it was a reason - Anyway reading this thread one would think BEX has had a shocking year - Yes they are awful in the Classics, however they've won 12 races with 5 at WWT level.

They are kind of doing the same as Lotto, nice and solid victories but very few UCI Points picked up.

 

[RedheadDane]

Fighting in Mayenne!

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Fighting in Mayenne!

Actual Fighting? Is López there?

Meanwhile your friend and mine, Yannis Voisard, won the Alpes Isère Tour.

 

[RedheadDane]

Actual Fighting? Is López there?

López-Cózar is.
It was actually Boudat and Halvorsen.

 

[RedheadDane]

Crashing in Belgium.
First Herregodts.
Then - according to commentators - a Stockman almost crashing into him.
Then a few more.

But racing also happening.

 

[RedheadDane]

Close sprint in Mayenne.
Stewart tried to do a leadout for himself, but that didn't quite work...
Molano won.

 

[RedheadDane]

De Lie untouchable in Belgium.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

It's time for the second edition of the Mercan’Tour Classic Alpes-Maritimes. No G. Martin or Pirazzi in the race this year, but the field is still stronger with the likes of Gaudu, Pinot, Woods. Fuglsang, Latour, Barguil and Meintjes among the starters.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Climbs:

Should be a nice reminder of what actual racing in the mountains looks like.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Latour has crashed out so he won't score another top 10 today. Hopefully it won't cost him Le Tour.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Israel are bringing back the breakaway on Col de la Couillole. There are only about 30 riders left in the peloton with 50 km to go.

 

[TourOfSardinia]

Israel are bringing back the breakaway on Col de la Couillole. There are only about 30 riders left in the peloton with 50 km to go.

Is that Froomey
still at the head of the group?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Is that Froomey
still at the head of the group?

It is, but he didn't get to take a turn, and now FdJ might put him in trouble.

 

[perico]

Froome is improving. Only way to go was up.

 

[wheresmybrakes]

I'm quite impressed he's still there at the front

 

[SafeBet]

Impressive pull by Lenny Martinez.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

That Lenny Martinez youngster. Hopefully he can keep up in the years to come.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Froome still looks good while Barguil is struggling.

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

If Froome doesn't collapse he is going to get his first top 20 result since his crash.