Tirreno-Adriatico 15h, the only real edition

[team fl]

It's afternoon time (or whatever time it is at that time in your time zone)! So, Team FL has decided to join the Giro preparation in Italy this time, for the first time I guess. Usually it's Paris-Nice, but as there is not real edition there, well, TA it is. So this will be the line-up, most likely:

x1 Clément Clévenot, the key for GC and mountains
x2 Frits Flaskjer, the key for sprints (if any)
x3 Gunter Grün, the eco friendly key
x4 Julio Juantorena, the key to Socialism
x5 Pierlugio Piano, the quiet key
x6 Przemyslaw Pzsczczzsssss..... damn it.
x7 Terry Tiktak, The key for good breath
x8 Vitor Ventura, the key for luck
x9 Volkmar Vogt, the key to the people

Goal: Wasting loads of money, having riders for every profile but winning nothing. Yay! Just kidding though, the goal is to win everything, if anything.

[flockmastoR]

It's afternoon time (or whatever time it is at that time in your time zone)! So, Team FL has decided to join the Giro preparation in Italy this time, for the first time I guess. Usually it's Paris-Nice, but as there is not real edition there, well, TA it is. So this will be the line-up, most likely:

x1 Clément Clévenot, the key for GC and mountains
x2 Frits Flaskjer, the key for sprints (if any)
x3 Gunter Grün, the eco friendly key
x4 Julio Juantorena, the key to Socialism
x5 Pierlugio Piano, the quiet key
x6 Przemyslaw Pzsczczzsssss..... damn it.
x7 Terry Tiktak, The key for good breath
x8 Vitor Ventura, the key for luck
x9 Volkmar Vogt, the key to the people

Goal: Wasting loads of money, having riders for every profile but winning nothing. Yay! Just kidding though, the goal is to win everything, if anything.

I kind of have the same problem, leaders all over the team. Failed team planning, let's see who gets into the line-up. I fear it will be expensive

[Gipfelstuermer]

We start here to present our group of training heroes and ensure the relegation to division 2 this month.

For the mountains: Rafa Rubiano with impressive 76 climbing skill (7 trainings).
For the hilly stages: Gérard Goldschmit with incredible 66-79 (12 and 6 trainings).
For the sprints: Ilario Mosconi with initial 81 sprint skill (0 trainings).
For the TT: Gérard Goldschmit with his unchanged 75 TT skill (0 trainings).

So be sure to find our team in escape

[Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team]

I will also ride the afternoon version

#1 Alex Poertel - captain, but nor sure which chances we will have in GC
#2 Jeremy Oehler - mountain helper for Alex
#3 Niklas Warmund - the never-ending story of bad tours for Niklas continues, but the form should be good enough for a surprise
#4 Aditya Mirchandani - flat captain and escaper
#5 Josef Kaltenbrunner - flat helper
#6 Nero Faye - flat helper and escaper
#7 Ignacio Sebredo - flat helper with another bad story for tours
#8 Vitaly Kalinichenko - low salary
#9 Daniel Vassilyev - even lower salary

Aim is to gain enough points for avoiding relegation (and not finishing with a financial blackout)

[team fl]

Just got a call from Hugo Marxer: Flaskjaer and Vogt don't want to ride and focus on the second half of the month. Instead, Godoy and Hässig will be forced to attend at the start today.

[team fl]

Favourite check:

General classement:

***** Alessandro Volta (Alive And Dead)
**** Roland Kießkutscher (Kreatif), Guillaume Payot (Big Donkey)
*** Clément Clévenot (Team FL), Alex Poertel (Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team), András Király (Szeged KC)
** Nelson Hunter (Vuvuzela), Youcef Belaili (SouthWest Packers)
* A surprise rider

Points classement:

*** Puma Park (CircleCycle)
** Robert Mnangagwa (Allstars United)
* Nikola Tesla (Alive And Dead)

Mountain classement:

*** The one who wants it
** Another one
* A surprise rider

Youth classement:

*** Diogo Ulisses (No Name Team)
** Ethan McKenzie (Kreatief)
* A surprise rider

Team classement:

*** Big Donkey
** No Name Team
* A surprise team

[Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team]

Favourite check:

General classement:

***** Alessandro Volta (Alive And Dead)
**** Roland Kießkutscher (Kreatif), Guillaume Payot (Big Donkey)
*** Clément Clévenot (Team FL), Alex Poertel (Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team), András Király (Szeged KC)
** Henry Hill (CircleCycle), Nelson Hunter (Vuvuzela), Youcef Belaili (SouthWest Packers)
* A surprise rider

Points classement:

*** Puma Park (CircleCycle)
** Robert Mnangagwa (Allstars United)
* Nikola Tesla (Alive And Dead)

Mountain classement:

*** The one who wants it
** Another one
* A surprise rider

Youth classement:

*** Diogo Ulisses (No Name Team)
** Ethan McKenzie (Kreatief)
* A surprise rider

Team classement:

*** Big Donkey
** No Name Team
* A surprise team

No Henry Hill here, but that looks good in overall. I think the * Youth rider could be Walter Sabbler.

[team fl]

Stage 1 done! We have our first stage winner and wearer of the leader's jersey: Mr. Eldenkönig! His teams seems to be eager to comit for his GC chances, at least it is likely that he will wear it for the next three stages as well. Anyway, let's have a look at the current standing:

General classement:

01. 00:00 Elia Eldenkönig (CircleCycle)
02. 00:20 Pratima Adhikari (Schnuggeritos)
03. 00:34 Walter Sabbler (OMG Berlin)
04. 00:36 Alexander Bauer (Vuvuzela)
05. 00:41 Gérard Goldschmit (Gipfelstuermer)
06. 01:15 Lajo Buta (Szeged KC)
07. 01:34 András Király (Sezged KC)
08. 01:38 JongHun Kim (CircleCycle)
09. 01:41 Georg Ohm (Alive And Dead)
10. 01:41 Alessandro Volta (Alive And Dead)

General classement for the GC favourites:

07. 01:34 András Király (Sezged KC)
10. 01:41 Alessandro Volta (Alive And Dead)
18. 01:53 Linus Sebastian (Schnuggeritos)
29. 02:04 Roland Kiesskutscher (Kreatif)
32. 02:06 Guillaume Payot (Big Donkey)
71. 02:22 Clément Clévenot (Team FL)
72. 02:22 Youcef Belaili (SouthWest Packers)
84. 02:27 Alex Poertl (Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team)
88. 02:28 Nelson Hunter (Vuvuzela)

[flockmastoR]

Very nice and interesting looking group.

TT didn't went as expected first, Volta looked to have a lot of bad luck early as Kiraly was further away than Payot/Kießkutscher were back. But in the end, it looks like the expected time differences.

Kiraly -07"
Volta
Kießkutscher +23"
Payot +25"
Clevenot +41"
Belaili +41"
Poertel +46"
Hunter +47"

Calculated on FL's favorite. For me it is pretty open, would even give Payot the bigger chances based on his second climber but he has Kießkutscher in his back, probably also opening chances for all others. Kiraly in a newcomer (or comeback) team and not probably the weakest support, but could profit from the situation too and seems to have good form here too.

Tomorrow first chance for the sprinters that can withstand a +6. On paper it looks like something for Park/Tesla, CC also with the leader jersey. Long stage and long stages to follow.

[Robyklebt]

With only a bit over 20" to me would like Payot-Kiesskutscher more than Volta to be honest. Stage 4+5 are pretty safe time gain stages for Dontief. 4 very little time gain, but, if they manage to keep the race together and fight for the win, 10+6" bonifications looks rather likely. While Volta will have to deal with the ever annoying FL for third. Oh well, FL will probably win, that stage then.

On stage 5 normally Kreakey win not only bonifications but also time... And it's not much that is needed. Yes, very tight between Payot and the fake swiss, but somehow with only 23"+25" to gain... It doesn't really need a big time gain.
And then there's stage 6 in reserve too somehow, 7 4 finish.

The profiting danger man is clearly Clévenot, being 16"-18" back to the stronger climbers, but they won't have time to watch him. Good ally for Volta, stealing bonifications. But if Payot-Kiesskutscher are in front, then he's a bad non-ally, stealing Volta's bonis

I'd say the favorite check should look like this

***** G. Payot
**** R. Kiesskutscher, R. Volta
*** C. Clévenot, F. Hund

Nobody else.
Payot over Kiesskutscher, 2" back only, 1 more mountain, second climber. On paper he has to beat Kiesskutscher, but we're paperless here, so let's wait and see.
Hund of course stays for Hund and all wannabe-Hunds!
No Kiraly... new manager. No form. Damn. Checked now, he started in February, could have form. 50 flat. With an experienced manager... Hanging on to reg challenged Volta, safety tempo when necessary, he has a chance. Like this? Don't think so. Let's not talk the newcomer into a favorite role!
Speaking of Kiraly, Donks needs to contact RKL for some other stuff!

[flockmastoR]

With only a bit over 20" to me would like Payot-Kiesskutscher more than Volta to be honest. Stage 4+5 are pretty safe time gain stages for Dontief. 4 very little time gain, but, if they manage to keep the race together and fight for the win, 10+6" bonifications looks rather likely. While Volta will have to deal with the ever annoying FL for third. Oh well, FL will probably win, that stage then.

On stage 5 normally Kreakey win not only bonifications but also time... And it's not much that is needed. Yes, very tight between Payot and the fake swiss, but somehow with only 23"+25" to gain... It doesn't really need a big time gain.
And then there's stage 6 in reserve too somehow, 7 4 finish.

The profiting danger man is clearly Clévenot, being 16"-18" back to the stronger climbers, but they won't have time to watch him. Good ally for Volta, stealing bonifications. But if Payot-Kiesskutscher are in front, then he's a bad non-ally, stealing Volta's bonis

I'd say the favorite check should look like this

***** G. Payot
**** R. Kiesskutscher, R. Volta
*** C. Clévenot, F. Hund

Nobody else.
Payot over Kiesskutscher, 2" back only, 1 more mountain, second climber. On paper he has to beat Kiesskutscher, but we're paperless here, so let's wait and see.
Hund of course stays for Hund and all wannabe-Hunds!
No Kiraly... new manager. No form. Damn. Checked now, he started in February, could have form. 50 flat. With an experienced manager... Hanging on to reg challenged Volta, safety tempo when necessary, he has a chance. Like this? Don't think so. Let's not talk the newcomer into a favorite role!
Speaking of Kiraly, Donks needs to contact RKL for some other stuff!

Not talking him into a favorite role but I can see possible outcomes where he can end up winning it. Have him at *** like clevenot just for that reason. Otherwise my favo check is the same (have Volta at **** rest can be seen in Fairplay message)

Hund/wango ist always a possibility in such more open races.

[Schnuggeritos]

General classement for the GC favourites:

07. 01:34 András Király (Sezged KC)
10. 01:41 Alessandro Volta (Alive And Dead)
18. 01:53 Linus Sebastian (Schnuggeritos)
29. 02:04 Roland Kiesskutscher (Kreatif)
32. 02:06 Guillaume Payot (Big Donkey)
71. 02:22 Clément Clévenot (Team FL)
72. 02:22 Youcef Belaili (SouthWest Packers)
84. 02:27 Alex Poertl (Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team)
88. 02:28 Nelson Hunter (Vuvuzela)

At least FL has Linus Sebastian on the list.

Tbh I think it's gonna be a fight between payot, Volta and Kiesskutscher. My top 3 and also in that order. Personally, I'm looking forward to the battle for the other jerseys.

[team fl]

At least FL has Linus Sebastian on the list.

I saw your outcry during the race .

Clévenot will try somhow to get on that podum and abuse every mistake by these three. Like you with Linus, I also think that is not very likely, but it's not impossible.

[Robyklebt]

How about Urs Steiner then???????

Anyway, as self declared top favorite, virtually unbeatable (how ashamed I will be after not winning it, no, seriously, just think looking at the skills Payot has to be the favorite, not by much, but the deficit seems surmountable) I will of course be happy to assist stage hunters. Not only with vocal support, I might even consider riding Too bad Frits was scared of Gamboa and is not here, but well, so Gamboa will have to beat him another time.

[team fl]

There was no outcry about Urs Steiner. But I did see him. Anyway, Frits doesn't feel good at the moment, so he gets his well earned time out. Volkmar on the other hand was just afraid of Gamboa, I have to admit.

[Chemnitz Pro Cycling Team]

Let's have a look on the stage today.

On the first quick view it looks like a good chance for the sprinters. Mostly flat with a few small hills. But it will be interesting how good the sprinters handle the 6% on km 200. It might be too steep for Siemensmäher and Mnangagwa, so Puma Park sees his chances here.
Maybe we also see an attack of one of the classics - an AAD move to bring Tesla in a position, Dustin Wellington, Niklas Warmund, Paolo Perucca, Gunther Grün or Ville Räätäli as a strong flattie wouldn't be surprising.

In one hour the stage will start and we will know better. Let's have fun!

[flockmastoR]

So Heuser+Celsius where able to keep away Mawson and Smith. I thought the opponents are Mawson+Gronbech. Due to work I was not able to be online earlier. Plan was to help for stage but also let others start first. Actually would have helped a bit earlier in retrosprective, but was ok like this, let the leader jersey + stage co-favo and GC favo work first. No clue how the first 90km went but looked like they worked together to control the group.

Now Parks way to the points classification is blocked, his way was to win today (or at least get second), control the flat stages and get it with 2-4th places in those 2 flat stages. Teslas way to win it doesn't look promissing too. He is just 9th best sprinter. That means that he will have big problems to hold the gap to the flat sprinters. Probably enough for a cooperation with Vuvuzela and Allstar, as they lack a blocker in the end. With groups going through it is clear that Tesla won't win it and the climbers have the bigger chances. Let's see if they are interested tomorrow.

[flockmastoR]

3a tappa: Follonica-Foligno

Long flat stage with sieb kms all over the place in the first half. Additionally, Vuvuzela with the on paper strongest sprinter off. The group, big enough to be dangerous, with Adhikari a guy to potentially steal Maglia Azzurra for the day, with Jäger a guy to potentially steal Maglia Azzurra for the rest of the tour. So Donkey first guy in tempo, Kreatief then with sieb at the first chances and continuing tempo. Many sprinters dropped, Gip rode with offline tempo in the big 3rd group and behind Donkey and CC with their weakened riders. Last groups reunited after Gipfelstuermer showed up and Kreatief attacking in front and stopping just some kms later. group at 6-7 minutes at that time. After cool down phase behind the gap inceased again. In the back Allstar and CC helped to control the gap, later Gip also joined. After the last siebing opportunity A&D helped with Loschmidt and Avogadro as the group was too big for Teslas Ciclamino ambitions. It worker out perfectly and looked like a last km catch. Finally, Aditya Mirchandani, Nils Polit, Ville Räätäli attacked but could be caught back with Fall and Kim. In the sprint Allstar failed to build a train so there were just 2 sprinter trains for the win. Gip with a 3 men train around VVG and Mosconi with Tesla in the wheel and CC with Kim, Eldenkönig and Park (surprisingly no ~80 sprinter on him). Mosconi wanted to jump into Parks wheel at the right moment and failed. Additionally, CC covered Parks wheel with Kim in a kind of carousel sprint. At that point Parks win was expected, Mosconi finished 2nd and Tesla 3rd.

Tesla now looks like the clear favorite for the Ciclamino but it's far from decided.

[Robyklebt]

Donkey not happy with the amount of work he does, too much, yes, he said looking at the riders, he should be the ***** favorite, but it's not like he has 95% chance to win either... The 2 guys at **** have 4 stars for a reason. AAD works late, ok, would prefer early with me, but in his case still sort of understandable, a weakened Donkey team makes a group going through in the coming days more likely. By working late and keeping his team fit, he doesn't risk much. Well, risks me going out and giving up on GC, but he knows that's not that likely....
Kreatief? He's just hurting himself really by letting the Donkey do all. For a stage win, today, tomorrow, possibly even Saturday, that doesn't really look all that impossible with just one less mountain and for GC a fit Donks-team for him seems more useful then an unfit one. Unless he plans an attack from far or.. .not sure.

Donkey even unhappier with Gamboa's sprinting. What was this guy doing, hanging on the wrong wheel... argh! Not even top 10! Ok, didn't expect a win either, but at least top 10 or so?

[Robyklebt]

Frustrating... but very satisfying finish.

So let's start with the finish.
8% Payot in with sectrick.


Km: 216, Steigung: 8

Roland Kießkutscher (Kreatief) attackiert

Clément Clévenot (Team FL) geht mit

Alessandro Volta (Alive And Dead) schafft es nicht mitzugehen

Gruppe kommt nicht weg

Perfect. Kiesskutscher gets away, but under 1", Hadn't even realized it.

On 7 then Payot goes, Kiesskutscher and co no chance to follow anymore, and another attack on the 6, a bit surprised that I didn't lose time. Now that I saw how it went all makes sense. Worked perfectly. 9" on Volta.

Frustrating.... Kreatief. Yes 88-89 but often you can follow. Better sprint, better flat which helps on 6, but on 7 still a bit too. No attack on 8, Follow on 7, follow on 6 and sprint. Stage win possible for him too. But for that some early help, then the group wasn't that much of a danger. Early help for Ceroni, Short. But no, came in very late, when it looked like the group was through, it was. And even then, instead of using somebody like Wolf between 2 mountains in the peloton, using him later behind the peloton spending the surplus energy. Yes by then was too late, with Wolf and Wellington riding full we are max 30" faster. Yes Payot favorite, but not the only possible outcome. At first thought that Kiesskutscher might have Catalunya form maybe? But since he got away, just not far enough, and Volta couldn't follow... The form can't be that bad.

Anyway, GC 9" gained on both Kiesskutscher and Volta is great. Can afford losing a possible sprint vs Kiesskutscher and still be ahead of him and concentrate gaining time on Volta (and the others still ahead). But we'll, right now I'd rather not win the GC than lose a sprint for the win vs Kiesskutscher... but tomorrow I might be back concentrating on the main goal...

[Robyklebt]

Hm, so after today we have to redo the stars thing a bit, don't think with 12" behind Payot can be regarded as the number one favorite anymore

Bad final climb today, original plan was early sieb, make Volta and Kiraly fight. Another sieb at 9 10, right after the 7, more fighting, let Volta ride, the following 9 too, then go at km 165 at the 8. Kiesskutscher for sure, maybe Clevenot follow I expected, but some hopes that with fighting Clevenot isn't still can't follow. Then ride, gain 8" or so, plus some bonifications, be very close, depending on 1-2-3 position at the finish 2" ahead, 2" behind or 4" behind Volta, Kiraly depends on what Volta does with him a bit. Now much further, change of plan no good clearly. Either go earlier or later, but not then. But ok, I hadn't really thought about Clevenot that much in my plans, and if I go of course he has to make tempo for his stage chances...

Now tomorrow rather open, the 13, yeah, nice for me. But 2 flat km following before the last climb, not too convinced that's the winning point, the 13**. Looks more like 7-4, which looks like another Kiesskutscher win after following me... hm...

Well, we'll see tomorrow, stays tight but not optimistic about my chances anymore really.

[SzegedKc]

I feel myself like how Doumulin could feel himself in the Vuelta 2015 before the last hilly stages when he wear the jersey, but he lost it there and he just finish in the 6 place in the GC. I think here will happend the same as me and I won't finish in the podium, I know the reality, but I will fight and will see what will hapend...

[Robyklebt]

Payot!

Friday the big defeat, self inflicted, as written above, attack in the wrong km, which I knew before, that's when normally AAD has to start covering, before that he can gamble that none of the direct oppenents tries. So wait 3 km (or was it 2) and then attack. Changed of plans, big failure, instead of being either ahead or very close as I had originally expected, Payot was 12 and 6" behind Kiraly and Volta. Donkey not optimistic anymore at all.

So Friday evening I had a team meeting, Attila Farkas my DS came in a wheelchair. Damn, didn't know he was that old, as big boss I usually avoid meeting with the DS, all this talk about tactics, strategies, races pisses me off, I'm here to make money, not for the racing! Then Farkas kept talking about this Kiraly, and how about this Kiraly was strong. Good I thought, didn't remember buying him, but as I said, haven't been that involved in day to day racing lately, we like strong riders, then we win, I earn money. An opponent I was informed by the assistand DS Matsubara, a Hungarian, same as Attila. What? Praise our riders, not opponents. Farkas fired. And the 2 other senior citizens, the assistand DS Matsubara and Tukhtasinov too. If I want to run a retirement home I'll want to get payed by the residents, not pay them a salary! So from Saturday on I'm the DS again, temporarily, until we find somebody with talent and ideally under 85. My assistants are Petit Singe and we found some guy named Roby Klebt in a closet too, he says he used to be the shit here in this race series, to me he looks like shit, but ok, we need 2 assistant DSs, and he can't be worse than my predecessor Petit Singe, and since I hired that guy... Roby Klebt is welcome too.

Anyway, so Sunday, the plan was to do nothing. Then something on 13**, but unclear what, some training siebs with Steiner early, then either attack or sieb with Payot at the last one. No chase, now AAD needs bonifications too, Kreatief who has done too little (I watched the previous stages on Friday evening, that's why I know now) until now the same, needs bonifications. So do I, but certainly not going to ride again the whole stage, now they need to show interest first. Then we can consider riding. Escape? Would make sense for AAD to go there, as anti Kiraly action, so we follow him.

But AAD made it easy for us, he didn't attack, he rode the whole stage, and not against the escape only, but against Big Donkey/szeged/Kreatief too, by siebing our tired (or otherwise weak) riders early. And repeatedly. Which was ok for me, then I ride in the back to come back, in the peloton no help wanted, clearly shown by the siebs. Excellent (but as I said, I wasn't eager to ride anyway, might have in certain situations without the siebs, but in principle thought it was now Volta's job) AAD riding, Big Donkey missing the 13** test km, CC sitter Taka not happy, he wanted to know what happens it seems. A short 2-3 km tempo after a Kreatief attack. Waiting for AAD to go with Heuser to have a relay station after the last 13**. Donks on wheel, then I have one too, then sieb or attack at the last 13**, then see what goes. But AAD went for the defensive strategy, after all he was under attack from Payot and Kiesskutscher too, so not wrong either. I thought he would go for the eliminate Kiraly first one. Because don't think Kiraly would have had a chance then, a group with Heuser-Fall/Celsius followed by me with Lekubarri, maybe Pecci (on and off Fall)/Carpinteiro (can he follow Celsius, flat attack needed) and possibly Kreatiefs to come back, avoid the loss on the 13** (but more pavé than Volta, so...) So anyway, nothing goes.

Last 13**, I do some advanced strategic confusing tempo, Steiner, then Payot (which probably confused nobody), put attack for Payot in. But doubts, how far do I get? Will I be caught again? Volta in, then Volta goes to blue? Wonderful. Attack stays in. Would have stayed in 95% anyway, but when I saw him in blue thought that was excellent. 13" gained on the climbers, 26" on Heuser. Of course blue could have been good, if then Heuser isn't dropped... but was dropped 13 too high.
Nobody tries to follow, not Kiesskutscher, not Belaili (pavé), not Clément. No idea who can follow, but maybe nobody. But nobody blocking red IMO was a mistake. Kiesskutscher, Volta or Kiraly should have, possibly Clément for stage, but he's a ? case. The others not, you go in.
13", a classic from an earlier attack rides, stays the same, downhill 16", Heuser back in the last flat km 10", Payot 2 attacks, Volta misses tempo on the 7 but tries to follow Kiesskutscher, Clément too, Kiraly an ill adviced attack, result 7" to Kiesskutscher and stage for Payot, Volta 10" back, Kiraly 1 more, stage, GC for Payot. YEAH

Was a bit lucky twice in the finish, Thursday and Saturday, failed due to Farkas' ineptitude on Friday, so finally a lucky win, had no real clue what would happen on 13**, but the no block thing really made it perfect for me. If they are at 5" or so, Volta-Kiraly-Kiesskutscher can agree on riding, then it's difficult for me... but won't complain, Payot wins, Big Donkey shows he is the better DS than Farkas, the world is ok again!