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Cian Uijtdebroeks Dominates Tour de l’Avenir With Huge W/Kg Performances

Cian Uijtdebroeks a week ago became the youngest Tour de l'Avenir winner ever and did it in fashion, pushing very high w/kg for his age. Uijtdebroeks is one of the most talented 19-year-old climbers ever and in his first pro year has been performing well for Bora-Hansgrohe. In this article we will focus on the mountain stages of this year's Tour de l'Avenir, analysing the w/kg estimates and climbing times.
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Nairo Quintana’s Disqualification Raises Huge Questions as Arkéa Lose Points | Relegation Battle

Nairo Quintana's disqualification from the Tour de France 2022 has further twisted the course of the already exciting relegation battle. After taking it for granted that Arkéa would be promoted to the WorldTour, the French team has been dragged back into contention. With 26% of the 2022 points still to be distributed, we have six teams within a 1000 point margin, although Lotto and Israel are respectively 600 and 1000 points away from safety.
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The climbs of La Vuelta a España 2022

As has become tradition in recent years, La Vuelta once again features a variety of summit finishes, mostly with minimal difficulties before the final climb. Against expectations however, is the absence of the super-steep 'Rampas Inhumanas', that have been the face of the Vuelta for many years. The only exception to this is the climb to Les Praeres, which is immensely steep, but very short, making big gaps unlikely. The majority of climbs are of consistently moderate gradient, which gives an advantage to the heavier and more aero GC riders rather than the featherweight climbers.
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Israel-Premier Tech Open their Wallet after BikeExchange Take Off | Relegation Battle

The relegation battle continues to be exciting, although the range of teams with a high chance of relegation is narrowing. After Arensman's podium finish at the Tour de Pologne, DSM is no longer considered a team at risk, while BikeExchange is in an increasingly comfortable situation after an incredible summer. Israel Premier-tech remain in a delicate position in sporting terms, but have pulled off a coup in the offices with the mid-season transfer of Dylan Teuns.
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DSM and Arkéa Escape Danger while Movistar Descends into Trouble | Relegation Battle

This brilliant Tour de France has left a very tight ranking in terms of the relegation battle, with 6 teams within 1000 point margin, including Israel, Lotto, BikeExchange, Movistar, Cofidis and EF. Now we face the last third of the season with everything to decide and a multitude of continental races in which the teams involved will have to race strategically to keep their WorldTour licence.
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The Climbs of Le Tour de France 2022

Le Tour de France features one of the hardest parcours in recent memory, with five mountain-top finishes and a special focus on longer ascents and high altitude. The most decisive climbs of the race, Col du Granon, Alpe d'Huez and Hautacam are all in the 35-40 minute range, a stark contrast to the 2021 edition, in which the race was decided on 25 minute climbs.
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Lotto Draws Level with BikeExchange whilst Israel Surge | Relegation Battle

We arrive at the Tour de France with the most equal ranking of the whole season, 8 teams separated by less than 1800 points and only 21 points between Lotto Soudal and BikeExchange, on either side of the relegation zone. Up until the National Championships, we estimate that 59% of the total points for the 2022 season have been distributed, so there are still many opportunities for the teams in the relegation zone to save themselves or ample time for those in a precarious position to fall late.
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Lotto’s Bull Charges to Safety as Mas’ crashes Scare an Angry Movistar | Relegation Battle

We have reached the halfway point of the season and the relegation battle is tighter and more exciting than ever in 2022. The reaction of Lotto Soudal and, to a lesser extent, Israel - Premier Tech is generating a lot of nervousness among other teams at risk such as EF Education-Easypost and BikeExchange-Jayco, who see themselves closer and closer to the relegation zone.
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Filippo Ganna vs Wout van Aert in Time-Trials

Filippo Ganna and Wout van Aert are arguably the best time-trialists in recent years, almost never off the podium in time trials of all varieties. However since August 2020, Ganna has won 14 out of 20 time-trials, even achieving an 8 time-trial streak win, including beating Van Aert twice in the World Championships.