Smaller 1.1 Races in the coming week (26 Feb - 3 March)

[Ferminal]

So whilst all the attention will be on Belgium this weekend, there really is stack of one dayers going on around the place.

Saturday February 26

GP dell'Insubria 167km 1.1 ITA

Nothing hugely exciting, but the final 1000m is rather steep (9%)

Profile (+final 3km): http://www.3vallivaresine.com/insubria/altimetria.asp

Start List: http://www.3vallivaresine.com/insubria/squadre_iscritti.asp

Sunday February 27

Classica Sarda 194km 1.1 ITA

The classic at the end of Sardinia. The finale seems like an uphill drag around 2-3% rather than a climb (Sagan ftw...)

Profile: http://www.ilgirodisardegna.it/frontend/ilgirodisardegna/doc/classicaAltimetria.pdf

Start List: http://www.ilgirodisardegna.it/frontend/ilgirodisardegna/page.aspx?id=1403

Clasica de Almeria 1.1 ESP

Out and back from Almeria, nothing too serious in the way of climbing and a sprinters race in recent times. There is a Cat 2 and two Cat 3s but I can't find a profile or anything so not sure how serious they are.

Route Map: http://www.domifoto.com/clasicadealmeria/

Start List (CyclingFever): http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MjE3NDU=

GP di Lugano 178km 1.1 SUI

Five circuits of Lugano. Climbing isn't huge but close enough to the end to split things up (look at the winners and time gaps in 2008 and 2009 over the same course)

Full details including Maps, Profiles and Startlists: http://www.veloclublugano.ch/_manage/upload/eventi/Programma20GP20CittC3A020di20Lugano202011.pdf

Boucles du Sud Ardèche - Souvenir Francis Delpech 200km 1.1 FRA

The race finishes on four loops of a circuit which includes the Rocher de Sampzon, I think it's 2km @ 7.8% (Max 15%)

Full course details + Profile: http://www.ardeche-cyclisme.fr/IMG/pdf/Dossier_Technique_2011.pdf

Start List: http://www.ardeche-cyclisme.fr/la-course-uci/la-course/article/les-engages

Wednesday March 2

Le Samyn 193km 1.1 BEL

Out from Frameries before coming back for 4x 20.1km circuits of Dour. Should be a sprint finish, but not sure how big the group will be?

Out and Back Map/Profile: http://www.lesamyn.be/joomla/images/stories/Samyn_2011/LE_SAMYN_2011_PROF_carte1.pdf

Dour Circuit Map/Profile: http://www.lesamyn.be/joomla/images/stories/Samyn_2011/LE_SAMYN_2011_PROF_local.pdf

Start List (CyclingFever incomplete): http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?detp=view&_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MjE3NDk=

Giro del Friuli 187km 1.1 ITA

Profile: http://www.girodelfriuliprofessionisti.it/index.php/altimetria-2011

 

[L'arriviste]

So whilst all the attention will be on Belgium this weekend, there really is stack of one dayers going on around the place.

...

Le Samyn 193km 1.1 BEL

Le Samyn (in the 'other' Belgium ) is actually a big deal and televised live here because it's the Walloon season opener. Jens Keukeleire burst onto the scene last year with his win, of course, so yes it will probably be a smallish group sprint.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

Almeria start list looks like a Rabo 1-2 waiting to happen.

 

[ingsve]

I don't know if it's the mass exodus or if it's a reaction to the Contador situation or something else but Saxo Bank seems to have trouble getting invites to races. They have not been invited to a single race this whole week eventhough there are two stage races during the week and seven diffrent one day races this weekend.

 

[Ferminal]

I don't know if it's the mass exodus or if it's a reaction to the Contador situation or something else but Saxo Bank seems to have trouble getting invites to races. They have not been invited to a single race this whole week eventhough there are two stage races during the week and seven diffrent one day races this weekend.

They haven't done much racing up to now as it is... TdU, Medi, Haut Var, Algarve.

The whole team seems rather one dimensional now, they will do OK in stage races mainly due to Contador (after him it's really just hoping Porte, GEL and CAS step it up) and perhaps others can get some stage wins at least (although Navarro and Noval will be dedicated to helping Bert?). After that their next best is their Time Trialing followed by the Haedos and Cooke as sprinters... I don't see any classics winners.

I have no idea who they will field for RvV and P-R. They could rival Euskaltel on those weekends. Okay maybe not that bad, but looking at their team I would have something like this:

Tosatto
Roberts
Cooke
Nuyens
Larsson
Marycz
Klostergaard
Jorgensen
Haedos? Tanner? Morkov?

Doesn't look great...

Looks at who they lost and what they replaced them with. After Contador, their whole new recruits combined doesn't match Cancellara.

 

[ingsve]

I have no idea who they will field for RvV and P-R. They could rival Euskaltel on those weekends. Okay maybe not that bad, but looking at their team I would have something like this:

Tosatto
Roberts
Cooke
Larsson
Marycz
Klostergaard
Jorgensen
Haedos? Tanner? Morkov?

Doesn't look great...

Don't forget Nuyens. He's the only real classics rider they have.

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

They haven't done much racing up to now as it is... TdU, Medi, Haut Var, Algarve.

The whole team seems rather one dimensional now, they will do OK in stage races mainly due to Contador (after him it's really just hoping Porte, GEL and CAS step it up) and perhaps others can get some stage wins at least. After that their next best is their Time Trialing followed by the Haedos and Cooke as sprinters... I don't see any classics winners.

I have no idea who they will field for RvV and P-R. They could rival Euskaltel on those weekends. Okay maybe not that bad, but looking at their team I would have something like this:

Tosatto
Roberts
Cooke
Larsson
Marycz
Klostergaard
Jorgensen
Haedos? Tanner? Morkov?

Doesn't look great...

I know it's fashionable to be down on Nuyens, but seriously?

 

[Ferminal]

I actually genuinely forgot him and edited (before I read the posts)

I didn't realise we were supposed to be hating on him, was he mega hyped as a youngster?

 

[jaylew]

GP dell'Insubria:

Visconti
Kocjan
Nocentini
Duque
Ponzi

 

[The Hitch]

The 2 most underated riders as i call them, once again showing their class. (Samu and Scarponi a close 3rd and 4th)

Visconti super as always. Dominating the continental scene once again.

And Nocentini, great once again. A name not mentioned in the Paris Nice thread, who could have something to say about it.

Keep underating those 4 guys people.

 

[theyoungest]

The 2 most underated riders as i call them, once again showing their class. (Samu and Scarponi a close 3rd and 4th)

Visconti super as always. Dominating the continental scene once again.

And Nocentini, great once again. A name not mentioned in the Paris Nice thread, who could have something to say about it.

Keep underating those 4 guys people.

Who the hell underrates Samuel Sanchez?

 

[The Hitch]

Who the hell underrates Samuel Sanchez?

There was a post just 3 days ago from Galic Ho giving the age of every single gt contender. He even had people like Sella, Anton Vandenbrouke and Kreuziger listed.

But Samu was not there. I wrote a very angry responce.

Because he is far from the first one. So many people dont put him in their list of contenders. Hell even Andrew said it would be Basso Cadel and VDB.

And others in that thread also didnt mention Samu. Any time someone mentions VDB as a TDF contender for this year and not Samu, they are underestimating him tremendously. Hell they are totaly ignoring him, insulting him. Acting as if his olympic gold, TDF 6th 08,Vuelta 2nd 09 TDF performance 10, mean nothing.

Phil Liggett of course said Samu was a bad descender.

Yes a lot of people underestimate Samu. A lot of people will be asking themselves "who? " when they start watching the Mountain stages of the Tour in July.

 

[Havetts]

Phil Liggett of course said Samu was a bad descender.

 

[The Hitch]

2010 Tour de France Col De la Madeline.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=8697&page=64

Um...Did Sherwin actually just say the Samu Sanchez is not a good descender??

Nah, Liggett

I remember hearing it on ITV 4 replay as well.

 

[Havetts]

Some people shouldnt commentate on cycling then.. Oo

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Who the hell underrates Samuel Sanchez?

my thoughts, generally the forum rate him quite highly.

Even Visconti and Noncentini are rated, just because people don't say "ZOMG visconti is the best etc etc" doesn't mean he is underrated. Someone like noncenti gets mention when ever appropriate, he is a good rider, but not a gilbert type figure, and probably gets the right amount of attention due.

And seriously, when has liggit ever said anything that is true. Don't be so sensitive.

 

[The Hitch]

my thoughts, generally the forum rate him quite highly.

Even Visconti and Noncentini are rated, just because people don't say "ZOMG visconti is the best etc etc" doesn't mean he is underrated. Someone like noncenti gets mention when ever appropriate, he is a good rider, but not a gilbert type figure, and probably gets the right amount of attention due.

And seriously, when has liggit ever said anything that is true. Don't be so sensitive.

On top of the examples i listed, which shouldnt be dismissed, (naming Sella, VDB, Anton and Kreuziger above Samu is a bit of a statement wouldnt you agree), and the Schleck sux thread where there are several examples of people seeing nothing wrong with Samu not seen as a contender, there is for example this thread where people predicted their 2010 tdf top 10s.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=8233

Of the first 10 predictions, only 1 person sees Samu as capable of a TDF top 10, and that person had him 9th. Im not saying they should have guessed he would be 4th (3rd until he broke his wrist). But we are talking about top 10. Here. Instead the likes of Kloeden, leipheimer, uran, Kreuziger are consistently being mentioned above him.

They all underestimated Samu.

Over to you timmy

 

[nvpacchi]

On top of the examples i listed, which shouldnt be dismissed, (naming Sella, VDB, Anton and Kreuziger above Samu is a bit of a statement wouldnt you agree), and the Schleck sux thread where there are several examples of people seeing nothing wrong with Samu not seen as a contender, there is for example this thread where people predicted their 2010 tdf top 10s.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=8233

Of the first 10 predictions, only 1 person sees Samu as capable of a TDF top 10, and that person had him 9th. Im not saying they should have guessed he would be 4th (3rd until he broke his wrist). But we are talking about top 10. Here. Instead the likes of Kloeden, leipheimer, uran, Kreuziger are consistently being mentioned above him.

They all underestimated Samu.

Over to you timmy

TBF there were quite a few more people after the first 10 posts that had Sanchez in the top 10... Keep letting people underestimate him, it'll allow you to gloat later on in the season

Why was Sanchez brought into this discussion anyway He's not participating in any of the races this week

 

[LarsAU]

Another training camp

I don't know if it's the mass exodus or if it's a reaction to the Contador situation or something else but Saxo Bank seems to have trouble getting invites to races. They have not been invited to a single race this whole week eventhough there are two stage races during the week and seven diffrent one day races this weekend.

There is actually a good reason why Saxobank Sungard is not at any of the races this week. They are having another training camp in Mallorca.

http://www.riis-cycling.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=3056

 

[Ferminal]

my thoughts, generally the forum rate him quite highly.

Even Visconti and Noncentini are rated, just because people don't say "ZOMG visconti is the best etc etc" doesn't mean he is underrated. Someone like noncenti gets mention when ever appropriate, he is a good rider, but not a gilbert type figure, and probably gets the right amount of attention due.

And seriously, when has liggit ever said anything that is true. Don't be so sensitive.

Maybe Visconti doesn't get the attention he deserves because he hasn't ridden on a PT team for a few years. I think Noncentini is rated as per his ability.

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=8233

Of the first 10 predictions, only 1 person sees Samu as capable of a TDF top 10, and that person had him 9th. Im not saying they should have guessed he would be 4th (3rd until he broke his wrist). But we are talking about top 10. Here. Instead the likes of Kloeden, leipheimer, uran, Kreuziger are consistently being mentioned above him.

They all underestimated Samu.

Over to you timmy

Post #16 I had him there! Pity I misinterpreted the preparation of 3-4 of those ahead of him otherwise I would have had it good!

Plus I got the TEAMS classification correct...

Samu's performance in the 2009 Vuelta was solid, was hard not to rate him.

 

[Ferminal]

Sardinia:

3 hours down and averaging over 42kmh.

http://www.ilgirodisardegna.it/frontend/ilgirodisardegna/classica_liverace.aspx

If I understand correctly, the race is down to 22 men...

Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas Cannondale), Daniel Oss (Liquigas Cannondale), Peter Sagan (Liquigas Cannondale), Paolo Tiralongo (Astana), Robert Kiserlovski (Astana), Damiano Cunego (Lampre Isd), Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre Isd), Matthew Busche (Team Radioshack), Benjamin King (Team Radioshack), Pavel Brutt (Katusha Team), Alexander Porsev (Katusha Team), Rafai Chtioui (Acqua & Sapone), Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing), Chad Beyer (BMC Racing), Emanuele Sella (Androni Giocattoli), Jonathan Monsalve (Androni Giocattoli), Alessandro De Marchi (Androni Giocattoli), Roberto Ferrari (Androni Giocattoli), Costantino Zaballa (Miche Guerciotti), Thomas Geraint (Great Britain), Elia Favilli (Farnese Vini Neri Sottoli) e Oscar Gatto (Farnese Vini Neri Sottoli)

No one tell ACF he has 2 in there.

 

[The Hitch]

Sardinia:

3 hours down and averaging over 42kmh.

http://www.ilgirodisardegna.it/frontend/ilgirodisardegna/classica_liverace.aspx

If I understand correctly, the race is down to 22 men...

Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas Cannondale), Daniel Oss (Liquigas Cannondale), Peter Sagan (Liquigas Cannondale), Paolo Tiralongo (Astana), Robert Kiserlovski (Astana), Damiano Cunego (Lampre Isd), Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre Isd), Matthew Busche (Team Radioshack), Benjamin King (Team Radioshack), Pavel Brutt (Katusha Team), Alexander Porsev (Katusha Team), Rafai Chtioui (Acqua & Sapone), Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing), Chad Beyer (BMC Racing), Emanuele Sella (Androni Giocattoli), Jonathan Monsalve (Androni Giocattoli), Alessandro De Marchi (Androni Giocattoli), Roberto Ferrari (Androni Giocattoli), Costantino Zaballa (Miche Guerciotti), Thomas Geraint (Great Britain), Elia Favilli (Farnese Vini Neri Sottoli) e Oscar Gatto (Farnese Vini Neri Sottoli)

No one tell ACF he has 2 in there.

Was SKy not invited that Geraint is riding for team GB?

 

[Ferminal]

I'm not quite sure how it eventuated, I seem to remember it being mentioned in the stage race thread too.

Anyway, the course for Giro del Friulli is out, 187.2km

http://www.girodelfriuliprofessionisti.it/index.php/altimetria-2011

Includes six times over San Floriano del Collio

This is a profile I found of it:

http://img55.imageshack.us/f/77499ea.gif/

According to that it's 4km @ 5.2%.

But the last 2km are @ 6.7%, and the final 750m is 9.5-10%

 

[Ferminal]

Also... randomly looking at the site where I found that climb profile, I stumbled across Mount Matajur (a big climb in Friulli, or Slovenia?):

http://img118.imageshack.us/f/matai0kj.gif/

Looks like a beast (the photos are good too!), ever been used in a major race?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Sardinia:

3 hours down and averaging over 42kmh.

http://www.ilgirodisardegna.it/frontend/ilgirodisardegna/classica_liverace.aspx

If I understand correctly, the race is down to 22 men...

Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas Cannondale), Daniel Oss (Liquigas Cannondale), Peter Sagan (Liquigas Cannondale), Paolo Tiralongo (Astana), Robert Kiserlovski (Astana), Damiano Cunego (Lampre Isd), Francesco Gavazzi (Lampre Isd), Matthew Busche (Team Radioshack), Benjamin King (Team Radioshack), Pavel Brutt (Katusha Team), Alexander Porsev (Katusha Team), Rafai Chtioui (Acqua & Sapone), Brent Bookwalter (BMC Racing), Chad Beyer (BMC Racing), Emanuele Sella (Androni Giocattoli), Jonathan Monsalve (Androni Giocattoli), Alessandro De Marchi (Androni Giocattoli), Roberto Ferrari (Androni Giocattoli), Costantino Zaballa (Miche Guerciotti), Thomas Geraint (Great Britain), Elia Favilli (Farnese Vini Neri Sottoli) e Oscar Gatto (Farnese Vini Neri Sottoli)

No one tell ACF he has 2 in there.

Yes but ACF isn't happy as Santambrogio or Santaromita who are BMC's best chances are not in there.