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Also worth noting that Picnic are currently behind all three of Uno-X, Tudor and Q36 (and also Cofidis, in the unlikely event that both teams fail to make it) in the yearly ranking. It's unlikely, but it would be very funny if they miss out on everything.
Definitely helps they've signed a lot of sub-elite riders who are happy with top ten places. Teunissen, Champoussin, Ballerini, Fortunato, Bol. Not many of their riders are really 'winners' in that they risk a good result for a win, other than maybe Bettiol who has been AWOL since he signed anyway.At this point there's not really any doubt anymorr that Astana is staying in the WT. They use every possible strategy to maximize points, without annoying riders (at least it looks like that). Obviously you can't do that every year but they also don't have to with their Chinese money. Just this year.
At this point there's not really any doubt anymorr that Astana is staying in the WT. They use every possible strategy to maximize points, without annoying riders (at least it looks like that). Obviously you can't do that every year but they also don't have to with their Chinese money. Just this year.
annoying is an adjective or a verb?
On the flip side, there'll be 180 points a day up for grabs in the Giro, and then 180 for a top 10. It'll be interesting to see if Astana outscore Cofidis with Fretin or Picnic (former likely, latter less so).An impressive haul so far for Astana.
I know it is only April, but the racing calendar, and the chance to earn points, starts slowing down in May.
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source: https://www.uci.org/discipline/road/6TBjsDD8902tud440iv1Cu?tab=technicalrankings&page=1
Canny move by Astana going to the 1.Pro Tour of Hainan for a points haul. Only WT team there and just four PRTs.
I can imagine with the Chinese money they can probably afford to have a fairly generous bonus system based on UCI points scored if they want.Definitely helps they've signed a lot of sub-elite riders who are happy with top ten places. Teunissen, Champoussin, Ballerini, Fortunato, Bol. Not many of their riders are really 'winners' in that they risk a good result for a win, other than maybe Bettiol who has been AWOL since he signed anyway.
But, in fairness, they have actually done really well in WT races this year. They have been active and visible in the cobbled classics, and were active in Paris-Nice, too. This year's performances have definitely been WT quality.
Not so easy after today lolI mean they really have no choice given their main sponsor also sponsors the race. Free points of course.
It's a pretty interesting period coming up towards LiegeThis week so far:
Cofidis: 220
Astana: 123
UnoX: 55
PicNic: 55
Intermarche: 30
It's a pretty interesting period coming up towards Liege
Hainan: Astana will score quite a bit.
Pays de la Loire Tour: Uno-X looks good, but still 2 stages to go and very close in GC. Even Cofidis have good chances here.
Itulzia: Astana and Cofidis will score a bit, but doesnt seem likely with big GC points.
Roubaix: Anything can happen here. I think Uno-X have the best team for this race among these teams, but it will be hard to actually score big.
Giro d'Abruzzo: Only Intermarche on the start list, seems to be very few decent teams here. Should be possible to score.
Ronde Van Limbourg: Only Intermarche and Cofidis does this. Good possibility to score.
Brabantsje Pijl: Picnic not going, but not sure how strong teams the other 4 lines up. Teuns for Cofidis and Hoelgaard for Uno-X could do very well. Astana and Intermarche also have strong riders.
Tour of the Alps: Only Picnic going. Strong team with Bardet and Poole.
3 Jura races: Uno-X with both Johannessen and Cort here instead of Amstel, clearly aiming for points. Cofidis doesnt have their best team here and the other 3 teams are sitting out.
Amstel: Cofidis looks strong with Aranburu, Teuns and Izagirre. Uno-X not sending their best team, still Hoelgaard and Kron can perhaps score a bit of points? Astana have Champoussin, Schelling and Velasco, no Scaroni. Intermarche and Picnic looks a bit weak, but Rota and Van den Broek can do well.
Fleche: I dont think any of the teams looks really strong, but guys like Onley, THJ, Teuns and some Astana boys can definitively get in the top 10 on a good day.
Liege: Picnic looks strong here with Bardet and Onley, but its not likely that Bardet can copy the 2nd place from last year. Cofidis, Astana and Uno-X should be competitive for maybe a top 10, Intermarche looks weak.
Who will score the most points in this period? I think Intermarche looks the weakest, but they also have a nice lead. I think Picnic is extremely depending on a strong showing from Poole, Onley and Bardet in Tour of the Alps, Fleche and Liege.
After pays de loire and todays itzulia stage:After tour of hainan this weeks points:
Astana: 391
Cofidis: 235
PicNic: 63
UnoX: 55
Intermarche: 30
Astana scored 300 points in china. Last year mulu and gate had 425 there, so they truly hoped for more
they could have even done better...Astana had indeed done well in Hainan.
picnic are not having a picnic!!!After pays de loire:
Astana: 391
Cofidis: 276
UnoX: 120
PicNic: 63
Intermarche: 30