BikeExchange years 2022 and beyond

[yaco55]

Watched it on SBS on Demand last night. Stewart was quick but we wasted too many matches riding on the front. Should be pressuring Ineos and Uno X to be on the front as both have the best sprinters here.

Jayco did the right thing today by not riding on the front BUT Stewart who got blocked and the other leading sprinters made a mistake by waiting too long to sprint - When you have a curve in the last 150 metres then you go early.

 

[yaco55]

I've already planned Plapp's early season calendar - ITT and RR at the Nationals, Tour Down Under, Saudi Tour and then Coppi Bartali - After that reassess priorities.

 

[eth-dog]

Jayco did the right thing today by not riding on the front BUT Stewart who got blocked and the other leading sprinters made a mistake by waiting too long to sprint - When you have a curve in the last 150 metres then you go early.

Yeah he boxed himself in by trying to go up the inside where there was no space. Should have gone outside with ~300 metres left.

The problem is that they genuinely only have one actual lead out rider in Postlberger. Grondahl Jansen and CJJ are workhorses, Grmay is a breakaway specialist and Porter is there to drive the GC stage for Dunbar. Really should have had Reinders and O'Brien instead of Grondahl Jansen and Grmay. Postlberger is best suited to be third last, then Reinders and Kell being the proper lead out rider.

 

[yaco55]

I am more than convinced that Jayco should have ridden lLngkawi instead of the Cro Race - Stewart who is probably the quickest at the Cro race cant handle the technical finishes, while at Langkawi he would have wide open roads, while the percours did not suit Dunbar - You could have sent Pena to Langkawi and he just about wins, while Dunbar could have ridden the Italian one day races. And S.Yates finishes a surprising third in Emilia.

 

[eth-dog]

I am more than convinced that Jayco should have ridden lLngkawi instead of the Cro Race - Stewart who is probably the quickest at the Cro race cant handle the technical finishes, while at Langkawi he would have wide open roads, while the percours did not suit Dunbar - You could have sent Pena to Langkawi and he just about wins, while Dunbar could have ridden the Italian one day races. And S.Yates finishes a surprising third in Emilia.

Is it that surprising though? He's pretty consistently shown that he's better than the likes of Mas, Woods, Vlasov, Ciccone and Co who finished behind him apart from his brother, who's behind him but not by much and Carapaz who is coming back from injury and has barely raced. Should be interesting to see how he backs up for the Varesini in a couple of days.

Stewart finally managed to position himself well for the sprint and got out to win it.

 

[yaco55]

Is it that surprising though? He's pretty consistently shown that he's better than the likes of Mas, Woods, Vlasov, Ciccone and Co who finished behind him apart from his brother, who's behind him but not by much and Carapaz who is coming back from injury and has barely raced. Should be interesting to see how he backs up for the Varesini in a couple of days.

Stewart finally managed to position himself well for the sprint and got out to win it.

Stewart proved my thoughts today that he was the fastest sprinter at the Cro race - S.Yates performance was surprising for a number of reasons - He has a limited pedigree in one day races, he crashed during the race, his performances in Italian one day races leading up to Emilia had been solid, while there was no way he was the third strongest rider in Emilia - I doubt he will ride Varesine on Tuesday as he recovers from a sore shoulder - His big test will come in lombardia because he's always struggled with monument type distances - Finally, I am interested in how Bling goes in Coppa Bernocchi in a race that should suit him.

 

[Orange Agent]

I wonder who will sign the Venezuelan bloke from Caja Rural. At 65kg he's a bit of Coquard type but looking at his past 3 years results he has finished top 5 in bunch sprints against the likes of Demare and DeLie, so his speed must be pretty good. Seems he is contracted for next year but if a WT spot came up he would have to released. His bunch riding skills are crazy.

 

[eth-dog]

I wonder who will sign the Venezuelan bloke from Caja Rural. At 65kg he's a bit of Coquard type but looking at his past 3 years results he has finished top 5 in bunch sprints against the likes of Demare and DeLie, so his speed must be pretty good. Seems he is contracted for next year but if a WT spot came up he would have to released. His bunch riding skills are crazy.

A team like EF or Movistar would be the favourites you'd think. Maybe Lidl Trek.

 

[eth-dog]

Bling missed the move but looks like he got better than all bar Izagirre in the second group.

Five races in five days for the men. Hopefully we can finish off with 2-3 wins.

 

[yaco55]

Actually it was a disappointing performance by the team - With that team, Jayco should have had another 2 riders in that second group to support Bling and then they would have brought the front room back. I am happy to get one win.

 

[eth-dog]

Actually it was a disappointing performance by the team - With that team, Jayco should have had another 2 riders in that second group to support Bling and then they would have brought the front room back. I am happy to get one win.

Still would have struggled to beat WVA in the first.

 

[yaco55]

Still would have struggled to beat WVA in the first.

That's irrelevant - There should have been more than 2 Jayco riders in the chasing group - It's like today at Munsterland Giro when the race split early in the crosswinds which resulted in a 31 person break which went to the finish and then Jayco only had one rider in there being Reinders - And then unfortunately Reinders punctured out of the front group and the race was over - A cohesive team would have 3 or 4 riders in that break.

 

[yaco55]

Lightning strikes twice - In today's Elvestenden race in Holland the peleton split in the cross winds - 19 riders escaped with only one jayco rider Mezgec in the leading group - Jayco chased all day and never brought it back and Mezgec sprinted into fourth place - Not good enough.

 

[eth-dog]

Good tactics on the last climb to get Yates back on with Pogi and the rest of that group.

But bizarre tactics from everyone not named UAE after that. Basically handed him the race.

 

[eth-dog]

Will finish the year in 13th in the UCI triennium rankings and nearly 3500 ahead of the relegation zone. If Peña can climb into the top 3 in the Tour of Guangxi that could push us to 4000.

They've signed 25 (if we're including Plapp, who hasn't been updated on the PCS website) so there are only 5 spots between De Marchi, Craddock, Grondahl Jansen, Grmay, Hepburn, Peña, Balmer and Stewart with Stybar retiring, Sobrero going to Bora and Colleoni to Intermarche. Hard to see Balmer getting another contract, and Grmay is also a 50/50 at best right now. I can't see Craddock, Peña or Stewart going, so that leaves two spots between De Marchi, Grondahl Jansen and Hepburn. I'd be favouring De Marchi and Hepburn over Grondahl Jansen.

 

[Orange Agent]

I don't reckon Ineos are gonna release Plapp. And this Nairo Quintana rumour has to be BS.

 

[yaco55]

It's already agreed that Plapp will join Jayco - Its linked to Plapp losing his Olympic dream. The final five riders are Pena, deMarche, Hepburn, Pena and Stewart.

 

[eth-dog]

It's already agreed that Plapp will join Jayco - Its linked to Plapp losing his Olympic dream. The final five riders are Pena, deMarche, Hepburn, Pena and Stewart.

I assume you mean Craddock for one of the the Pena's.

 

[yaco55]

I assume you mean Craddock for one of the the Pena's.

On PCS Craddock is not listed as contracted but he has a contract.

 

[eth-dog]

On PCS Craddock is not listed as contracted but he has a contract.

There's no news release saying he has a contract for next year yet fwiw.

 

[yaco55]

There's no news release saying he has a contract for next year yet fwiw.

He has a contract.

Hamilton and Durbridge are under pressure in 2024 - They are both struggling to fulfill their roles and may be moved on.

 

[yaco55]

Attended the Hong kong Cyclothon 1.1 race - It was a pleasant day etaing tapas at the finishing line, while watching Jayco control the race finishing 1st,3rd,4th and 8th - An easy 300 UCI points.

 

[nick23_]

Any update on when Plapp will be announced?

 

[yaco55]

After Ineos finish announcing their signings for 2024.

 

[Orange Agent]

Any update on when Plapp will be announced?

A lot of talk that it was dependent on Remco getting to Ineos.