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Tour de San Luis
Preview |
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The Tour de San Luis may not be
in the World Tour but has become an attractive race for many
riders especially the climbers to start their seasons. 12
World Tour teams take the start with some of the biggest names
in the sport - Betancur, Nibali, Phinney, Sagan, Van den
Broeck, Quintana, Cavendish and Rodriguez.
While the Tour Down Under has become hillier over the years it
still lacks any real climbs, The Tour de San Luis however
offers three big summit finishes. Providing the world's best
climbers an early season test as they continue to build form.
Stage Previews
Stage 1
The road starts to climb almost immediately and the first
third of the stage is very undulating including a cat 3 climb
at the 55km mark. From there it is a long 110km downhill run
to the finish. The stage is the same as last years opener
where Cavendish took the victory ahead of Modolo and Petacchi.
Names to watch: Cavendish, Kruopis, De Haes, Richeze, Haedo,
Farrar, Sagan, Nizzolo, and Modolo.
Stage 2
Stage two features the first summit finish atop the Mirador
del Potrero climb (4.8km at 6.7%) with the final kilometre the
steepest part at 7.5%. Last year Alex Diniz (Funvic
Brasilinvest) took the victory 24" ahead of Santambrogio and
Kwiatkowski. The winding climb is the easiest of the three
summit finishes, and with the big favourites not wanting to
take control so early a solo rider or small group may given a
little room to take the stage.
Names to watch: Diaz, Yates, Arredondo, Rodriguez, Caruso,
Weening, Van den Broeck, Anacona, Serpa, Acevedo, Gaimon,
Duarte, Avila, Caruso, Atapuma, Nibali, Betancur and Sella
Stage 3
Should be another stage for the sprinters although the finish
is uphill.
Names to watch: Cavendish, Kruopis, De Haes, Richeze, Haedo,
Farrar, Sagan, Nizzolo, Modolo, Nerz, Boonen, Willems,
Keukeleire and Paolini.
Stage 4
A relatively flat day until riders reach the final 30
kilometres. Riders first climb the El Embalse before the road
flattens off. The finish comes after the Cerro El Amago
(10.5km at 7.2%). The climb starts off at around 6% but the
gradient is constantly changing, kicking up over 10% at
several points. The changes in gradient make it suited to
climbers with aggressive accelerations such as Rodriguez and
Quintana.
Names to watch: Rodriguez, Quintana, Atapuma, Pozzovivo,
Betancur, Nibali, Duarte, Acevedo, Serpa, Weening, Yates and
Arredondo.
Stage 5
The out and back 19.2km ITT in San Luis is the same as in
previous editions. Starts off flat before a rise towards the
back end of the course before descending and flat run in to
the finish. Svein Tuft won last year but is not riding this
year.
Names to watch: Phinney, Malori, Nibali, Kessiakoff, Danielson
and Giacinti.
Stage 6
The hardest climb of the race has been saved for the
penultimate stage. Finishing on top of the Mirador del Sol
(7km at 8.75%) but when riders hit 3km to go it reaches 15%
for around two kilometres. The final kilometre flattens out
slightly to 5.5% Alberto Contador won here last year two
seconds ahead of overall winner Daniel Diaz.
Names to watch: Diaz, Rodriguez, Nibali, Quintana, Serpa,
Weening, Pozzovivo, Betancur, Atapuma, Duarte, Sella, Acevedo
and Van den Broeck.
Stage 7
The final stage is the shortest of the race and is likely to
end in a bunch sprint. The final kilometre is slightly uphill
but nothing that should trouble the sprinters.
Names to watch: Cavendish, Kruopis, De Haes, Richeze, Haedo,
Farrar, Sagan, Nizzolo, and Modolo.
The Contenders - Overall
Daniel Diaz
Won the race last year after consistent performances on the
key mountain stages. Finished second back in 2012 after
Contador was disqualified. A strong climber but will lose time
in the time trial. Rides for continental team San Luis Somos
Todos but has an added advantage of an extra team member.
Vincenzo Nibali
Won Tirreno-Adriatico, Giro del Trentino and the Giro last
year as well as finishing 2nd at the Vuelta. The former winner
was 10th last year and 4th in 2012 showing he likes the race.
With his main target the Tour don't expect him to be at his
best but a strong result is likely. Supported by a very strong
team including Kangert, Scarponi, Kessiakoff and Landa.
Nairo Quintana
One of the dominant riders of last year, runner up at the Tour
and won Vuelta Pais Vasco and Vuelta a Burgos. The steep
climbs on stages 4 and 6 will suit Quintana and strong
performances there will set him up for the overall victory.
Movistar have brought a very strong team including Intxausti,
Lastras and Amador for support.
Joaquim Rodriguez
Returns for the second year in a row after finishing well down
the order in 55th last year. Had a strong 2013 winning the
World Tour for a third time and second year in a row but
didn't take an overall victory in a stage race. Finished 3rd
at the Tour and 4th at the Vuelta. The steep climbs on stages
4 and 6 suit him but the biggest question will be his form.
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Back for the second year in a row. Had a strong start to 2013
but a crash on stage 5 of the Tour de France ended his season
early. Took 5th last year and with a longer preparation than
others expect him to be going well.
Damiano Cunego
Has said is going in without expectations and to see what his
form is like. The former Giro winner had a decent 2013 season
including 2nd overall at Coppi e Bartali. Lampre-Merida has a
strong team with Jose Serpa and Winner Anacona other options.
Carlos Betancur
Had a breakthrough season last year to take 5th and best young
rider at the Giro. Also took third and Fourth respectively at
La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Will need to gain
time on the climbs to offset losses in the time trial.
Domenico Pozzovivo
Pozzovivo's first year on a World Tour team was a good one -
9th in Oman, 11th Tirreno-Adriatico, 10th Giro, 7th Tour de
Pologne and finished off with 6th at the Vuelta. A danger on
the climbs but the relatively flat nature of the time trial is
a disadvantage.
Darwin Atapuma
Despite making his earliest ever start to his season Atapuma
has reported he is in good condition for his first race with
BMC. BMC brings a strong team with Stetina, Nerz and Warbasse
other GC options.
Janier Acevedo
Won the America Tour after consistent performances in the
major American stage races. Took 8th last year riding for
continental team Jamis-Hagens Berman. Other results included
3rd Tour of California and Tour of Utah, 4th USA Pro Challenge
and 5th Tour of the Gila.
Pieter Weening
Won the Tour de Pologne last year and was 2nd Tour de
Langkawi, 6th Vuelta Pais Vasco and 8th Eneco Tour. A strong
climber but will probably lose some time on stages 4 and 6 but
should be able to make some up in the TT.
Other names to watch include Haimar Zubeldia, Julian
Arredondo, Jose Serpa, Winner Anacona, Peter Stetina, Ivan
Santaromita, Jelle Vandendert, Michele Scarponi, Emanuele
Sella, Thomas Danielson, Fabio Duarte and Miguel Angel
Rubiano.
Don't discount a number of riders of South American
continental or national teams either. The America Tour is mid
way in to the year and with the Tour de San Luis the biggest
race in South America, riders will be hitting peak form.
The Contenders - Sprinters
Mark Cavendish
Starts the race for the second time, won the opening stage
last year and was second the following day. Took 18 victories
in 2013 but only two at the Tour. Former leadout man Mark
Renshaw returns to his side but Cavendish will have to wait a
little longer to race with him. Strong support from Boonen and
Petacchi.
Tyler Farrar
After a hard few years Farrar started to return to form last
year. Took wins at the Tour of California and Tour de
l'Eurométropole but was still off his best. Secured a 1 year
contract with Garmin and early success will be important in
determining the amount of support he gets the rest of the
year.
Aidis Kruopis
On the final year of his contract and after a relatively quiet
2013 Kruopis will hope to get off to a good start. 6 podium
finishes last year with just one. Will receive strong support
from the team.
Peter Sagan
Took 21 victories last year but didn't take a stage at the
Tour de San Luis. Took 5th on Stage 1 and 2 before finishing
runner up on the final stage. Has said is hoping to increase
the quality of his victories over quantity this year so don't
expect him to be at his best.
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
In a promising sign finished second in two stages at the
Vuelta and while he took 19 top 5 finishes in 2013 didn't
manage a win. Signed a new two year deal with Lampre-Merida
and riding on home soil expect him to be competitive in the
sprints.
Sacha Modolo
After winning stage 2 last year ahead of Mark Cavendish much
was expected although the rest of the first half of the year
was quieter. A strong second half of the season saw him take 6
stage wins at the Tour of Qinghai Lake, Coppa Bernocchi and
Memorial Marco Pantani as well as 2nd at the Ride London
Classic.
Other names to watch include Kenny Dehaes, Taylor Phinney,
Giacomo Nizzolo, Tom Boonen, Davide Appollonio and JJ Haedo. |
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