Minor Races Thread 2015 - [SPOILERS]

[The Couch]

Today is a really minor race happening... The "GP Stad Zottegem"

Still... last year this was won by E. Theuns (who has had a great early season classics campaign this year and who will undoubtedly be going to a World Tour team)
Other people in the top 5: Tiesj Benoot, Zico Waeytens and Jasper De Buyst

So a race where young potentials can shine

 

[Buddfox]

I'll whack this in here for now, but someone may feel it deserves it's own thread, but team GB is sending a squad to the Tour de l'Avenir:

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/g...Cycling-Team-named-for-2015-Tour-de-lAvenir-0

The English version of the website isn't working yet / at the moment, but the other teams (in French) listed here:

http://www.tourdelavenir.com/fr/la-course/les-equipes.html

 

[The Couch]

Today is a really minor race happening... The "GP Stad Zottegem"

This year the winner is Kenny Dehaes... so this time not a young rider or even a surprise considering his skill-set

 

[HF2300]

I'll whack this in here for now, but someone may feel it deserves it's own thread, but team GB is sending a squad to the Tour de l'Avenir:

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/g...Cycling-Team-named-for-2015-Tour-de-lAvenir-0

The English version of the website isn't working yet / at the moment, but the other teams (in French) listed here:

http://www.tourdelavenir.com/fr/la-course/les-equipes.html

There's a bit of a fuss about the Tour de l'Avenir as the rule changes mean WT pros can be (and are being) selected this year.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I'll whack this in here for now, but someone may feel it deserves it's own thread, but team GB is sending a squad to the Tour de l'Avenir:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/g...Cycling-Team-named-for-2015-Tour-de-lAvenir-0

I've mentioned Mark Stewart a few times in threads, mostly track related, and it's great to see him get a ride at l'Avenir - not too long ago he was handing me my arse on a plate every week at Caird Park velodrome in Dundee and last year did the same (along with just about everyone else) in a hilly TT in the Borders. He's a great rider and great bloke who has put in the effort and is now getting the rewards.

 

[rich p]

I've mentioned Mark Stewart a few times in threads, mostly track related, and it's great to see him get a ride at l'Avenir - not too long ago he was handing me my arse on a plate every week at Caird Park velodrome in Dundee and last year did the same (along with just about everyone else) in a hilly TT in the Borders. He's a great rider and great bloke who has put in the effort and is now getting the rewards.

I saw Chris Lawless, another Avenir rider, win the U23 event at the Gent 6 dayer last autumn, with Matt Gibson.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I saw Chris Lawless, another Avenir rider, win the U23 event at the Gent 6 dayer last autumn, with Matt Gibson.

He and Mark were partners in the Madison at the Derby Revolution and finished 3rd in the race that some blokes called Wiggins and Cavendish won.

 

[Buddfox]

I've mentioned Mark Stewart a few times in threads, mostly track related, and it's great to see him get a ride at l'Avenir - not too long ago he was handing me my arse on a plate every week at Caird Park velodrome in Dundee and last year did the same (along with just about everyone else) in a hilly TT in the Borders. He's a great rider and great bloke who has put in the effort and is now getting the rewards.

Nice. This kind of thing is great to see and I hope he (and the rest of the team) do well. I can see why the presence of World Tour riders might ruffle a few feathers, but I suppose that reflects the increasing profile of the event.

 

[rich p]

Confessing my ignorance here. I just heard that Hugh Carthy (from Fulwood, Lancs) is 4th on GC in the USA Pro Challenge as we speak.
Not only have I not heard of him but he's riding for Caja Rural as a 21 year old. Kudos, chapeau and hat.

 

[rich p]

Confessing my ignorance here. I just heard that Hugh Carthy (from Fulwood, Lancs) is 4th on GC in the USA Pro Challenge as we speak.
Not only have I not heard of him but he's riding for Caja Rural as a 21 year old. Kudos, chapeau and hat.

He's 5th now with Tao G-H in 13th

 

[rich p]

After the ITT, Carthy is down to 9th but Tao G-H up to 6th

Rohan Dennis wins his second stage in a row

1 Rohan Dennis (Aus) BMC Racing Team 17:42:14
2 Brent Bookwalter (USA) BMC Racing Team 0:00:44
3 Rob Britton (Can) Team SmartStop 0:01:31
4 Gavin Mannion (USA) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 0:01:49
5 Lachlan David Morton (Aus) Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis 0:01:53
6 Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBr) Axeon Cycling Team 0:01:58
7 Lachlan Norris (Aus) Drapac Professional Cycling 0:02:02
8 Toms Skujins (Lat) Hincapie Racing Team 0:02:08
9 Hugh Carthy (GBr) Caja Rural-Seguros RGA 0:02:13
10 Julien Bernard (Fra) Trek Factory Racing 0:02:14

 

[rich p]

Tao G-H and Hugh Carty finished first and second in the young jersey comp. in the USA Procycling event.
Dennis takes the overall

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Kristoff wins Plouay

 

[rich p]

Adam Yates lying second in the T of Alberta, behind Mollema.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Sounds like a bit of a Horlicks at the Tour of Alberta where everyone with the exception of lone breakaway rider took the wrong turn and ended up off-course.