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Professional Cycling => Road Races => Topic started by: search on June 30, 2020, 12:04

Title: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on June 30, 2020, 12:04
Sibiu Cycling Tour

The Sibiu Cycling Tour celebrates its tenth edition this year, and attracted two WorldTour teams and a total of six ProTeams for its anniversary edition: BORA - hansgrohe and Israel Start-Up Nation as well as Alpecin - Fenix, NIPPO DELKO One Provence, and Gazprom - RusVelo decided to restart their 2020 cycling season in Sibiu.

As usual, the parcours offers opportunities for climbers and sprinters alike:

(https://i.imgur.com/E55GXw5.png)

23 July    Prologue: Historic City Centre of Sibiu, 2.5 km

The 10th edition of the Sibiu Cycling Tour kicks off with the traditional opening prologue over the mainly cobbled streets of the historical centre of the Transylvanian city, held on a 2.5 kilometre course similar to the one of last year's race edition.

(https://i.imgur.com/k3IkbDY.png)

24 July   Stage 1: Sibiu - Bâlea Lac, 182 km

The next day, the race continues with a first real test of truth: a mountaintop finish on the Transfăgărășan Road. The finish at the glacial lake Bâlea Lac at 2040 m is a particularly challenging one, and with its 25 kilometers of climbing through several hairpins in beautiful mountain landscape it's going to have a major impact on the final outcome of the race.

(https://i.imgur.com/penf8L3.png)

The last 25 kilometres climb at an average 5.8 percent, and the steepest parts are up to 12 percent. Even more than the gradient, though, it is the length of the climb that will separate the best climbers from the rest of the field. With rocky cliffs right up to the side of the road and a number of galleries, the Transfăgărășan Road climbs through a stunning mountain landscape. Above the tree line, the valley opens up to form a huge natural amphitheatre. The riders will be able to see the finish for the last seven kilometres, but still have to climb numerous hairpin turns. The final kilometre, climbing at more than seven percent, is a last hard test and means that only the strongest climbers can hope to become the successor of last year's stage and overall winner Kevin Rivera.

(https://i.imgur.com/TfX2pEy.png)

25 July   Stage 2: Sibiu - Sibiu, 178 km

The next stage features a 178 km loop through the surrounding areas of the Transylvanian city. With the flat finish and only a couple of climbs on the route, it could be a chance for the sprinters to take first glory, but over the past three years, two lone escapees managed to take the stage win instead.

(https://i.imgur.com/2g80myI.png)

26 July   Stage 3a (ITT): Curmatura Stezii - Păltiniș, 12.5 km

The final day of the 2020 Sibiu Cycling Tour will be the next real test for the overall contenders, with not one, but two stages on the schedule.

Stage 3a is a challenging mountain time trial to Păltiniș. The climb is approached from the east, and has a length of 12.5 km, climbing with a 5.3-percent average and rising up to 10.5 percent on the steepest parts. The first nine kilometres are a the hardest, with a few steep ramps thrown in over the steady five to seven percent climb. The road then flattens out a bit to between ~two and three percent for three kilometres before the road rises for a short kick to the finish.

(https://i.imgur.com/FSkWa7v.png)

26 July   Stage 3b: Sibiu - Sibiu, 109 km

The final stage 3b in the afternoon of Sunday, 26 July, has a length of 109 km and starts and finishes in Sibiu. The last 25 kilometres are mostly on large roads and will favour the sprinters' trains, but the final kilometre may spring a surprise: After a right turn with 550 metres to go, the road surface turns to cobbles on the narrow, twisty roads of Sibiu's old town, and continually climb at three percent to the finish on the Piața Mare, where the winner of the 2020 Sibiu Cycling Tour will be crowned.

(https://i.imgur.com/pxidISm.png)

A total of number 25 teams has confirmed their participation in the 2020 Sibiu Cycling Tour:
A provisional start list is available on the race website (https://ciclism.sibiu.ro/ro/echipele.html).

The race will be live on Livestream.com Romania (https://livestream.com/romania-live-events/ts2020) and there will be an evening highlight show on Digisport.
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on June 30, 2020, 12:24
It's still a bit of an unknown if everything can take place exactly as planed, and also the list of teams may change a bit, as at the moment some still fall under Romanian quarantine restrictions (which hopefully will change over the coming weeks) and also the new UCI protocol requesting Covid-19 tests may potentially be a financial hurdle for some, but so far it looks like quite a good field of riders will line up to re-start their season in Sibiu.

#bora Bora stands out of course, as a World Tour team lining up Patrick Konrad and (not confirmed yet, but probably replacing Kämna) Felix Großschartner, but there are other strong climbers on the list as well, like #vinizabu Visconti, #israel Badilatti, #meridiana Rebellin, #bardiani Carboni, #cccdevo Novikov, #felbermayr Zoidl, #teamro Tvetcov or the #elkov Elkov guys, and also #androni Androni and #alpecin Alpecin are likely to send a strong team, eventhough Andronis South Americans probably will not be able to make it to Romania on time.

For the sprints, #bora Ackermann on paper looks hard to beat, but #israel Barbier, #nippo Grosu, #vinizabu Stacchiotti, #bardiani Benfatto, #giotti Guardini, #amore Appollonio, #felbermayr Fortin or #mazowsze Banaszek are surely not to be underestimated either. And I heard #alpecin Alpecin may line up someone able to potentially rip apart the field on every terrain anyway... ;)
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: just some guy on June 30, 2020, 15:14
You and Fus meeting up again Search?
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on June 30, 2020, 15:19
that's the plan at least, yeah. Mihai (aka Jens Attacks, or @faustocoppi60) as well
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: just some guy on June 30, 2020, 15:28
Cool.

Maybe this year Fus will get me my cycling cap :lolz
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on June 30, 2020, 15:33
I still have an #amore Amore bottle somewhere, if you like. I'll keep the Prodir pen though.

seems like they didn't sign Mauro in the end, btw. He's not on the list (yet) at least.
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 01, 2020, 12:57
#memil Memil Pro Cycling had to cancel their participation due to travel restrictions. #bikeaid Bike Aid will take part instead (but I guess with European riders, for the same reason?!)
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: LukasCPH on July 01, 2020, 15:47
Quote from: just some guy on June 30, 2020, 15:28
Maybe this year Fus will get me my cycling cap :lolz
I was supposed to get you a cycling cap? :S
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: just some guy on July 01, 2020, 16:24
Quote from: LukasCPH on July 01, 2020, 15:47
I was supposed to get you a cycling cap? :S

Yep :;)
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 02, 2020, 08:01
Quote from: search on June 30, 2020, 12:24
#bora Bora stands out of course, as a World Tour team lining up Patrick Konrad and (not confirmed yet, but probably replacing Kämna) Felix Großschartner

not Großschartner comes in, but Mühlberger instead.

He won the test race the other week, the team did during their training camp in the Ötztal Alps, so seems to be in pretty good shape
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 06, 2020, 14:55
Quote from: search on June 30, 2020, 12:24
#alpecin Alpecin may line up someone able to potentially rip apart the field on every terrain anyway... ;)

confirmed now

https://twitter.com/WielerFlits/status/1280122100448198656

also #androni Androni's team: Belletti, Chirico, Gabburo, Gavazzi, Pellaud & Ravanelli. Cepeda and Rivera are on reserve, but it looks unlikely to work out at the moment due to quarantine restrictions.
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 07, 2020, 07:59
#israel Niv and Goldstein didn't make it out of Israel yet. They'll be replaced by Räim and Turek
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: just some guy on July 07, 2020, 09:07
Looking like a good race, and the timing amazing for sponsors of the race
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 07, 2020, 09:15
in a way, yes, but they are mainly local ones, and I fear you won't buy a car at Autohaus Huber in Sibiu, just because you see their name on the livestream ;)

so not being allowed to have spectators at the start or finish actually makes it more difficult to find sponsors, than what an increased international awareness can compensate for, I fear.
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: just some guy on July 07, 2020, 10:10
Good points.
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 16, 2020, 14:29
Alpecin has withdrawn from the race, unfortunately.  Belgium introduced a quarantine recommendation for travelers returning from Romania, and they don't want to risk that to turn into mandatory 2 week isolation, potentially costing van der Poel the participation in the Italian classics.

Also Felbermayr is out and replaced by #wibatech Wibatech Merx
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 17, 2020, 10:01
live coverage details (1 hour earlier in central Europe, 2 in the UK):

(https://i.imgur.com/Mzr6Yzf.jpg)
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: Leadbelly on July 20, 2020, 10:03
https://cyclingpro.net/spaziociclismo/continental/sibiu-tour-2020-rinuncia-anche-la-androni-sidermec/

Androni out now as well.
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: Leadbelly on July 20, 2020, 21:35
If an opportunity presents itself over the course of the race here are a list of questions for some riders.

Tvetcov - Any news on Sapura going PCT in 2021?

Raim/Turek - Any sign of extensions with I-SUN/ICA or offers from other teams?

Turek - How is the race "bubbling" affecting you mentally? 3½ months of what was described in the team's instagram report from Poland sounds very tough.

Raim - Will you be the team's designated sprinter at the Vuelta?
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: LukasCPH on July 22, 2020, 07:37
Quote from: Leadbelly on July 20, 2020, 21:35
If an opportunity presents itself over the course of the race here are a list of questions for some riders.
We'll see what we can do. :)
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: Leadbelly on July 22, 2020, 11:56
If all else fails you could stick your head out the hotel window in the evening, loudly shout the questions and hope the relevant rider is just a floor or two away.

 :shh
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: LukasCPH on July 22, 2020, 13:06
https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1285908552402587650
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 22, 2020, 17:15
#abloc Ivar Slik sounds motivated and (as far as he can say) in shape to defend his victory in the prologue tomorrow. The team will need to go into a two-week home isolation period when they return to the Netherlands, but still decided to come

https://www.fiets.nl/2020/07/22/slik-in-sibiu-de-profs-mogen-weer-maar-wel-met-de-nodige-aanpassingen/
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 22, 2020, 21:45
a rainbow, and a Davide Rebellin #meridiana one man show. What can possibly go wrong...

(https://scontent-frt3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/115723310_3319548424770322_8493668992994046321_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=PlXMxfvN36QAX_kFoDn&_nc_ht=scontent-frt3-1.xx&oh=4aa9cee32d855ef4fa8cb6e0e41db840&oe=5F3CD6D6)
(https://scontent-frx5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/115747868_3319548151437016_8484021801080735797_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=YeZ8XinE3YgAX84IDMV&_nc_ht=scontent-frx5-1.xx&oh=fc755d29fe7ea5539d3921f6dcfd8969&oe=5F3F0EB3)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=TurulCiclistAlSibiului&set=a.3319546991437132
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 23, 2020, 11:50
Quote from: Leadbelly on July 20, 2020, 21:35
Tvetcov - Any news on Sapura going PCT in 2021?

off the cards for the moment. There were some talks with a big Malaysian sponsor to start supporting the team, but by the look of it, it's not going to happen.
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: LukasCPH on July 24, 2020, 18:06
A bit of housekeeping:

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286219401356873728

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286205801326096384

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286377748341104640

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286553825759965184

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286691417117663237
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: Leadbelly on July 24, 2020, 19:14
https://twitter.com/faustocoppi60/status/1286715816000589825
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: Leadbelly on July 24, 2020, 19:18
Quote from: LukasCPH on July 24, 2020, 18:06
https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286691417117663237

"Mühlberger shook off the Italian Swiss"
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 24, 2020, 19:42
it wasn't me :hi
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: search on July 24, 2020, 19:54
I was pretty impressed by #nippo Rochas today, by the way. I never really came accross his name before reading some stuff before the race, where he mentioned that he went on altitude to train, was aiming for a good result in gc and so on. Looked super easy on the bike, and with a bit more experience, he could have finished even higher up.

Also Wackermann was a positive surprise, after a couple of poor years (basically since returning to Italy from NASR-Dubai?!)
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: LukasCPH on July 25, 2020, 10:44
Quote from: Leadbelly on July 24, 2020, 19:18
"Mühlberger shook off the Italian Swiss"
Oops ... :angel

In my defence, I had just thrown up in the car and was shuttled back to the hotel to rest & recover. :)
And he's from the Valposchiavo, that's practically Italy. ;)
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: LukasCPH on July 25, 2020, 10:47
https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286927574745194496

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286729009116647425

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1286935295540318208
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: Leadbelly on July 25, 2020, 20:44
What was the Guardini story today? Did he get caught up in the crash or despite his newly ripped physique does he still get dropped like a sack of spuds when there are a few bumps in the road?
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: LukasCPH on July 25, 2020, 21:09
Quote from: Leadbelly on July 25, 2020, 20:44
What was the Guardini story today? Did he get caught up in the crash or despite his newly ripped physique does he still get dropped like a sack of spuds when there are a few bumps in the road?
The latter. #bora really drilled the pace up the last climb, and that was simply too much for Andrea "Flash" Guardini.


Also:
https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1287087885360017408

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1287092699661840389
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: LukasCPH on July 27, 2020, 08:17
https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1287368320044367872

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1287377908164702213

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1287468817053081601

https://twitter.com/SibiuTourEN/status/1287644796237078529
Title: Re: Sibiu Cycling Tour
Post by: Leadbelly on July 27, 2020, 18:25
Sportingly it wasn't that great an edition I have to say.

The guns that Bora brought to the table were too much for everyone else. Not that you can blame the German team, they need to get their best riders up to speed asap for the bigger races ahead, but it was a bit of mis-match.

Maybe in some alternate Covid free reality, they would have come with Fabbro and Laas or Jempy. Realistically though in that Covid free reality, they wouldn't have come at all.