Volta ao Algarve May 5-9 2021

[Zinoviev Letter]

Good one hah. Yeah, really strange that none of them does not go to the Giro.

They are going to the Giro with a GC team and as of a few weeks ago Lefevere was saying Hodeg for the sprints. Even if they swap in Ballerini or Cavendish, they dont seem likely to send sprint train guys.

 

[Gregor_Slovenia]

They are going to the Giro with a GC team and as of a few weeks ago Lefevere was saying Hodeg for the sprints. Even if they swap in Ballerini or Cavendish, they dont seem likely to send sprint train guys.

Yes, they have very good team on a paper. But Giro is always decided in tough mountain stages, where I think that Remco, Almeida and Masnada will not be able to compete against Simon Yates. They can win the race without big mountain stages that come in the third week, but with these stages..But well, let's just wait and see if maybe Remco is a miracle like Pogačar is. I believe he was a miracle before Lombardy injury, but after that...Let's just wait

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yeah, the Spaniards have a great young generation with him and Marque.
So Veloso is now riding for Tavira, Federico Figueiredo left Tavira and signed with Efapel (who also signed the TTer/rouleur Reis) and Brandao left Efapel and signed with W52 (feels weird to think that he'll be racing for them instead of against them).

He kind of has to in order to win the Volta, unless they've reclassified 2018 officially to him now, originally they just removed Balarcón. The OFM-Valongo - OFM-Quinta da Lixa - W52-FC Porto lineage has kind of won eight straight, with six different rider, four of which were 1-2s (and even if Balarcón is declassified, they still win 2017 with Antunes thanks to the epic Guarda stage where we watched Tabriz Petrochemical or the Rojas brothers, only it took place in a European race) and two of which were 1-3s.

 

[yaco]

Can you point out someone from a start list that is good climber? I have serious problems. Only Kamna seems decent, and also him..If he had some health issues, his form is maybe questionable. Rui Costa, but is also not really a great in climbing anymore.

Maybe even Asgreen could try for a GC here.

The problem is the following week contains the triumvirate of Spanish one day races followed by the Ruta Del Sol.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Of all the guys finishing in the top 10 last year, only Costa and Kämna are present.

Rather pitiful GC field. Let's hope some of the youngsters can show their legs.

 

[Bonimenier]

Of all the guys finishing in the top 10 last year, only Costa and Kämna are present.

Rather pitiful GC field. Let's hope some of the youngsters can show their legs.

Antunes finished 10th last year.

 

[SafeBet]

Ardila was decent in a couple of stages during Tour of the Alps, though very inconsistent. This looks like the right time to show if he's back to his level after almost 2 years of issues.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Veloso in a four man all Iberian break with 3 mins after 50 or so km

(Can someone sticky this thread please?)

 

[RedheadDane]

Yeah, @Red Rick! Get out of the bag, and get to work.

 

[Earns1985]

Sosa (Ineos) is also riding here...
Thought he was in the giro team from Ineos..

 

[Bonimenier]

Sosa (Ineos) is also riding here...
Thought he was in the giro team from Ineos..

I also thought he was, but it seems like Narvaez will take his place in the Giro

 

[RedheadDane]

I also thought he was, but it seems like Narvaez will take his place in the Giro

Indeed.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Going to be a battle for Bennett’s wheel...

Im going to predict an Ackermann win (hoping I get eleventh time lucky with this particular prediction this season)

 

[RedheadDane]

That must be really annoying:
You attack, then you turn around... and there's just a big Danish flag on your wheel!

 

[Bonimenier]

That must be really annoying:
You attack, then you turn around... and there's just a big Danish flag on your wheel!

Yeah, Danes are really annoying

 

[RedheadDane]

Yeah, Danes are really annoying

At the time being the guys aren't winning anything!

 

[RedheadDane]

Half DQ just crashed?!

 

[Devil's Elbow]

This is incredibly chaotic, great work from Caja from a racing perspective.

 

[RedheadDane]

Moto-driver: Mind if I join you?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

That motor...

 

[Carols]

Bennett who else! Chapeau Sam!

 

[RedheadDane]

Bennett takes it.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

They had to work for that one

 

[sir fly]

At least he's been given some run for his money.
Congrats.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Great leadout for Bennett. I think that's the closest Intermarché have been to winning all year?