Talossan Cycling Association Tour: Utrecht -> Madrid 2022

[Glüc]

5th place in the Dutch section... I miss having Van Aert in my team :(

[Glüc]

Naziun Cjovani the strongest team in Basque country, but Els Gagnheirs hang on to the lead.

Tuesday's stage ended up being a high scoring affair. As expected the early breakaway didn't make it, so it came down to the final kilometers for the favourites to try and make a difference. Roglic (CJO, VAR, VFL) showed why he is the favourite, winning the stage, but not yet gaining much time on his challengers. Naziun Cjovani scored the most points. Good results for O'Connor, Evenepoel and Kuss resulted in a win for Naziun Cjovani, although the Velociposse got very close due to Mas, Hindley and Yates.

Today Naziun Cjovani again got a win, although the stage was a much lower scoring affair, with a breakaway including Adria (CJO, VAL) and Masnada (GNH) making it to the finishline. This puts Naziun Cjovani in second place, but Gagnheirs manage to hold on to the lead (for now).

Standing after stage 5:
1. Els Gagnheirs - 1474 (+430) (+128)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 1394 (+576) (+133)
3. Gordon Hiatus Support Team 1359 (+483) (+63)
4. Kinetic Racing - 1237 (+449) (+46)
5. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 1214 (+533) (+46)
6. Velociposse Florencia - 1180 (+574) (+58)
7. Valcürïăs - 600 (+288) (+126)

Tomorrow the TCAT moves west, away from Basque Country into Cantabria for the first proper mountain stage (Bilbao -> Pico Jano / San Miguel de Aguayo) with a long uphill finish that will tell us a lot about which riders are still in the race for the Maillot Rojo. This could well turn out to be the most revealing stage so far.

Friday we move further west through the Cantabrian mountains, but we only get one major climb which is about halfway through the stage, so this feels like a bit less of a stage for the GC contenders and could instead be another chance for an early breakaway.

[Glüc]

Naziun Cjovani edges ahead in Cantabria!

Thursday was the first proper mountain stage and as predicted the action happened in the final kilometers. Biggest winners of the day were Evenepoel (CJO, GHS, KIN), who won the Maillot Rojo and E. Mas (GNH, VFL), whereas Carapaz (GHS, KIN) lost time on the competition. The Velociposse score the most points, due to Yates, Roglic and Hindley as well as Mas. Naziun Cjovani again gained on Els Gagnheirs but remained four points behind.

Yesterday it was looking as if we were going to a sprint, but in the end the breakaway barely managed to hold on. First TCAT rider across the line was Groves (CJO). It was a very low scoring day in which BdC finally got the most points for a change, due to Pedersen and Hayter. The placement of Groves means we have a new leader however, as Naziun Cjovani barely edged ahead of Els Gagnheirs. Its very close at the top, with three teams within 100 points and six teams within 300.

Standing after stage 7:
1. Naziun Cjovani - 1988 (+441) (+153)
2. Els Gagnheirs - 1979 (+365) (+140)
3. Gordon Hiatus Support Team 1936 (+431) (+146)
4. Velociposse Florencia - 1751 (+503) (+68)
5. Kinetic Racing - 1710 (+325) (+148)
6. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 1709 (+320) (+175)
7. Valcürïăs - 979 (+302) (+77)

Today we move even further west through the Cantabrian mountains, into Asturias, for another mountain stage. But this time the action can't wait until the end as we get no fewer than 6 summits along the way, starting almost immediately as we leave La Pola Llaviana (which should be just about now). We end on the Colláu Fancuaya, which is quite a scary looking climb with bits of 17% and even 19%.


Source: lavuelta.es

Should be quite an exciting stage. Almost certainly some riders will lose their status as GC contenders today, but which riders (and consequently, which teams) will hang on?

(First virtual standings update this evening btw)

[Glüc]

The Velociposse scores the most points on the second mountain stage, but it's GHST that takes the lead!

Pedersen (BDC, GHS, GNH, KIN) managed to score enough points on the intermediate sprint to take over the green jersey today. This was before the final ascent of the day however, and on that particular climb there was no chance for GC contenders to hide. Several fell through the cracks. Kelderman (BDC) and Carapaz (GHS, KIN) fell through the cracks today and lost too much time to be playing a role in the GC from here on. Three riders dominated the group of favourites however; red jersey wearer Evenepoel (CJO, GHS, KIN), defending champion Roglic (CJO, VAL, VFL) and Enric Mas (GNH, VFL). Although some others still may have a chance it seems likely one of these three will win this TCAT edition. As a result, Velociposse scored the most points today, but it is Gordon Hiatus Support Team that replaces Naziun Cjovani as the current leader.

Standing after stage 8:
1. Gordon Hiatus Support Team 2322 (+386)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 2305 (+317)
3. Els Gagnheirs - 2281 (+302)
4. Velociposse Florencia - 2145 (+394)
5. Kinetic Racing - 1997 (+287)
6. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 1983 (+274)
7. Valcürïăs - 1190 (+211)

[Glüc]

As promised we are also getting our first virtual standing update. We are starting to get a good sense of who is competing for the various classifications, which gives us a sense of which teams are likely to get points at the end.

I wanted to warn that it is still early days and a lot can still happen, and obviously that is true, but then again, last edition Naziun Cjovani already led in the virtual standing after 7 days, despite being a distant third in the actual standing, and with both the Alps and the Pyrenees still to come.

Expected Final Classification points after stage 8:
1. VFL - 1430
2. GHS - 1420
3. CJO - 1260
4. GNH - 1070
5. KIN - 1030
6. BDC - 945
7. VAL - 890

Expected Daily Classification points after stage 8:
1. KIN - 1183
2. GHS - 1144
3. GNH - 1144
4. VFL - 1105
5. CJO - 910
6. BDC - 845
7. VAL - 780

Total virtual standing after stage 8:
(Actual + Expected Final + Expected Daily)
1. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 4886
2. Velociposse Florencia - 4680
3. Els Gagnheirs - 4495
4. Naziun Cjovani - 4475
5. Kinetic Racing - 4210
6. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 3773
7. Valcürïăs - 2860

A third of the way to Madrid GHST is in the best position to win the second leg of the Talossan Cycling Association Tour, due to the strong performances of Evenepoel, Pedersen, Geoghen Hart and Yates. However, the Velociposse is also doing better than can be seen from the standings, due to having two riders (Evenepoel and Roglic) in the current top 3. On the other side of the standings BdC and Valcürias are not looking so good. It seems very unlikely either of these teams will have the most points in Madrid, unless we see a major change in performance.

[Glüc]

As for tomorrow: we are getting another mountain stage (Villaviciosa -> Les Praeres / Nava). This will be the last stage in the northwest of Spain as on monday we travel to Alicante. The stage may not be suited for gc contenders to gain an advantage early. Instead we are likely to see another early breakaway make it to the finish, and may not see any of the favourites losing much time. Even so, the last ascent of the day is relatively short, but very steep, so we may still see some GC action at the end.


Source: lavuelta.es

[Glüc]

Covid strikes again; we have the first abandono of this TCAT: Sepp Kuss (CJO). Kuss lost a lot of time in the GC yesterday, so this doesn't affect the virtual standing much, but Kuss could definitely still have scored more stage points in the future and his teammates at Naziun Cjovani (especially Roglic) now lose an important helper, so a bad start of the day for Naziun Cjovani.

[Sir Lüc]

So Louis Meintjes won today - he felt like almost a natural pick to me, but I had started to regret as he hadn't gotten me one single point until yesterday, and even then it was just 2 assist points from Taaramäe's third place. (For context, just 3 TCAT riders remain pointless at the moment)

Surprisingly (or maybe not since Tour was a disaster for GHST) today was the first stage win for one of my riders. It kinda feels even better considering it's a 3.5% outside pick and not an obvious GC contender.

Looking at the way Evenepoel smoked Ayuso, Mas, Roglic, Yates & co. - man, am I glad I ditched Roglic. Speaking of, looks like Carapaz is the disappointment pick this time. I was very tempted to pick Mas over him, but hindsight is 20/20.

[Glüc]

Imma take Lücs gloating (ok, fine, he deserves it) as today's summary and just go ahead with the points:

Standing after stage 9:
1. Gordon Hiatus Support Team 2912 (+590)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 2573 (+268)
3. Els Gagnheirs - 2463 (+182)
4. Velociposse Florencia - 2410 (+265)
5. Kinetic Racing - 2229 (+232)
6. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 2110 (+127)
7. Valcürïăs - 1402 (+212)

Tomorrow, we have a rest day, while we move all the way to the southeast coast. (I don't know about you guys, but BdC definitely needs it.) Then on Tuesday we get the 30 km long (mostly flat) individual time trial (Elche -> Alicante), which at this point feels most like an opportunity for Evenepoel (CJO, GHS, KIN) to extend his lead, but who knows, there may be surprises.

Wednesday the TCAT rides along the coast to Andalusia (ElPozo Alimentacion -> Cabo de Gata), where we will be staying for the rest of the week. This stage should be an opportunity for sprinters.

[Glüc]

I hate this I hate this I hate this I hate this

[Sir Lüc]

Glüc is understandably fed up so I'll do the update. ITT today, and we have some abandons to account for: Hayter (BDC) and Affini (CJO,VFL).

Remco Evenepoel (GHS,CJO,KIN) was the big favourite and he confirmed that by smashing Primož Roglič (CJO,VAL,VFL), who hadn't lost an ITT in Spain until today. Third place for another TCAT rider, Remi Cavagna (VAL,KIN). Four more TCAT riders in the top 10: Yates (GHS,BDC,VFL), Geoghegan Hart (GHS), M. Lopez (VAL) and E. Mas (GNH,VFL). Sadly Mas's underperformance sees him drop to third in the GC, Evenepoel now widening his lead to 2'41" over Roglič.

As for TCAT, Naziun Cjovani wins a tight affair, not even 40 points separating them from Kinetic in fourth position. The overall standings see Gagnheirs's last place in today's ITT translate to a drop to fifth place, with VFL and KIN's performances gaining them one place each.

Standing after stage 10:
1. Gordon Hiatus Support Team 3399 (+487)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 3091 (+518)
3. Velociposse Florencia - 2821 (+411)
4. Kinetic Racing - 2709 (+480)
5. Els Gagnheirs - 2604 (+141)
6. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 2289 (+179)
7. Valcürïăs - 1895 (+493)

As mentioned by Glüc, tomorrow will be a day for sprinters though, so look for Gagnheirs to take revenge and perhaps high point potential for Kinetic as well. Pedersen (GNH,KIN,GHS,BDC) will be looking at a first stage win, with early points classification leader and stage 2&3 winner Bennett also among today's pre-ITT abandons.

[Sir Lüc]

Stage 12 in progress atm, with a large, 32 man breakaway including two big name TCAT riders who have so far underperformed: Wilco Kelderman (BDC) and Richard Carapaz (KIN,GHS), together with Łukasz Owsian (VFL). With 37km to go, they have a massive, 11:30 minutes lead over the peloton, which could bring Kelderman back in GC contention given that his current deficit to Evenepoel is 14'04". Also in the breakaway, current leader of the climbers's classification and winner of stages 6&8 Jay Vine - my bets would be on him to pull off another stage win.

Quick update on yesterday: Pedersen (GNH,KIN,GHS,BDC) did in fact not get that elusive win, which instead went to Naziun Cjovani's Kaden Groves! Pedersen had to settle for 5th, albeit sweetened by winning the intermediate sprint, and the other lone TCAT rider in the top 20 was Pascal Ackermann (VFL,GNH).

Standings after Stage 11 - more movement in our highly volatile midfield with KIN clawing back P3 from VFL:

1. Gordon Hiatus Support Team 3639 (+240)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 3409 (+318)
3. Kinetic Racing - 2947 (+238)
4. Velociposse Florencia - 2914 (+93)
5. Els Gagnheirs - 2860 (+256)
6. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 2489 (+200)
7. Valcürïăs - 1969 (+74)

[Glüc]

Ok, first off, I am fed up by an absolute disaster week for Banqeu da Cézembre, but this isn't the reason I didn't provide any updates. Rather, it's been a couple of very busy days for me. Of course I will continue to provide updates when I can, but there will also be more days when Lüc will jump in. Many thanks to him for doing so.

With regards to my own team I should add that a) Hayter (BDC) could easily have scored top 5 on the day he dropped out, b) Almeida (BDC, GNH, VAL) managed to lose time by going the wrong way on the time trial and c) Yates (BDC, GHS, VFL), who was the highest ranked BDC rider in the GC also dropped out yesterday, so yeah, it's been rough. Not the only team with bad luck though, as yesterday Gagnheirs and Kinetic also lost an important rider in Alaphilippe, who dislocated his shoulder after a crash.

Anyway, today it was Carapaz, who had so far been rather invisible, who won the stage over Kelderman, resulting in a very good day for GHST, who scored the most points and expanded their league over the Cjovani, and for Kinetic Racing, solidifying their third place. Kelderman didn't really get close to taking over the Maillot Rojo in the end, but he did gain a number of spots in the GC.

Standings after Stage 12:
1. Gordon Hiatus Support Team 3999 (+360)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 3521 (+112)
3. Kinetic Racing - 3298 (+351)
4. Velociposse Florencia - 3021 (+107)
5. Els Gagnheirs - 2975 (+115)
6. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 2750 (+261)
7. Valcürïăs - 2105 (+136)

Tomorrow, we move further inland (Ronda -> Montilla). The expected temperature of 31 degrees tomorrow is actually slightly below average for this region. The stage itself is perfectly flat though, so another chance for sprinters. Maybe Pedersen finally gets his stage win?

[Glüc]

Maybe Pedersen finally gets his stage win?

Yes [/summary]

Ok, couple more things: Ackermann also did well, resulting in a strong day for Gagnheirs, who are still the sprint team of this edition and are now back in fourth place. Pedersen further solidifies his standing in the Green Jersey. GHST expand their lead over Naziun Cjovani, who should now also be worried about being overtaken by Kinetic Racing. Honestly there isn't really much to say about this stage. This was always gonna be a sprint. Attackers didn't get much of a chance.

Standings after Stage 13:
1. Gordon Hiatus Support Team 4306 (+307)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 3664 (+143)
3. Kinetic Racing - 3612 (+314)
4. Els Gagnheirs - 3450 (+475)
5. Velociposse Florencia - 3316 (+295)
6. Banqeu da Cézembre OneFiftyZero - 3153 (+403)
7. Valcürïăs - 2251 (+146)

The weekend will be much different however as the Talossan Cycling Association Tour heads into the mountains again. Tomorrow (Montoro -> Sierra de la Pandera) we get a pretty challenging uphill finish with two summits that are really just one combined very long climb with bits of up to 15% towards the end (though there is more to come this weekend). Will Evenepoel finally start to show some cracks? The time for anyone to show that he can be beaten (by something other than covid) is running out...

[Vitxalmour]

Valcürïăs happily the most consistent team.