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Analysis by Sergio Yustos (@sergioyustos_) and Fantasy Tips by Cédric Molina (@ilcapoced)

ROUTE ANALYSIS

• Time: 11:45 - 17:00 CET
• TV Start: 14:45 CET

The race gains intensity compared to 2025 with a more demanding sequence of climbs, especially tough for sprinters.

The first major section opens with Sandplacken (8.1 km at 4.5%) and Burgweg (0.5 km at 8.5%) and, almost without transition, Feldberg (3.5 km at 7.5%), in a more explosive version that raises the selection level early on. The immediate repetition of Burgweg (0.5 km at 8.7%) reinforces this intense character. This occurs in the first eighty kilometers, where pace will be key.

After this first filter, the race enters a more stabilized phase until the first pass through Mammolshain (2.2 km at 7.8%), where the pace hardens again and fatigue accumulates truly.

The key moment comes in the second pass through Feldberg (7.7 km at 6.0%), longer, consistent, and chained with Mammolshain, where previous fatigue begins to make significant differences, marking those sprinters who have endured. From there, the terrain offers no respite, with another pass through Burgweg (0.5 km at 8.5%) increasing tension before the finale.

The finish retains its essence, but with accumulated toughness: a double pass through Mammolshain (2.2 km at 7.8%), with the last pass, just over 30 kilometers from the finish, being the decisive point to break the race.

THE WEATHER

The wind, from the east/southwest and close to 20 km/h, could be an interesting factor, toughening the test. Neither temperature nor rain will affect the race's progression.

FAVORITES FOR VICTORY

Positioned between the Ardennes and the Giro, with the idea of a tougher race, this edition is quite open. My favorite is Tobias Lund Andresen. Not necessarily because he is the strongest overall, but because he is the only (let’s call him) sprinter I see surviving this route. If he does, he has the advantage.

From there, names that naturally fit the race's demands: Tom Pidcock, if slightly recovered, has a highly suitable route. Paul Lapeira, Axel Laurance, Tibor Del Grosso, and Corbin Strong represent the balance between climbing skills and speed.

Behind them, a group of outsiders who may appear if the race opens more than expected: Emiel Verstrynge, Lennert Van Eetvelt, Tim Wellens, Magnus Cort (if he feels like racing this time), Laurence Pithie, Anders Foldager, Alex Aranburu, Ben Turner, Filippo Baroncini, or Quinten Hermans.

And as always in these types of races, watch for surprises: Haimar Etxeberria, Filippo Fiorelli, Simone Gualdi, Andrea Raccagni, Frits Biesterbos, Mattia Agostinacchio, or Georg Zimmermann, who, racing at home, always finds an extra gear on days like these.

★★★	Tobias Lund Andresen
★★	Tom Pidcock, Axel Laurance
★	Paul Lapeira, Corbin Strong, Tibor Del Grosso
My favorite	Tobias Lund Andresen
My jokers	Simone Gualdi, Mattia Agostinacchio

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IL CAPO CED'S FANTASY RECOMMENDATIONS

Tips from Cédric Molina (Il Capo Ced)

💥 Il capo's data.

• No one has repeated the podium in the last 4 seasons.
• In the last 3 editions, 21 out of 30 top-10 finishers were selected by less than 10%.
• In the last 3 editions, 18 out of 30 top-10 were cyclists worth 200 coins.

🌟 Capos to watch.
Ordered from best to worst:

💰 800-1000 coins (2 riders)
Tom Pidcock and Tobias Lund Andresen
The top favorites. Both fit perfectly into your '9' by budget.

💰 600 coins (8 riders)
Pello Bilbao, Corbin Strong, Lennert Van Eetvelt, Axel Laurance, Magnus Cort, Tim Wellens, Sam Watson, Émilien Jeannière

💰 400 coins (24 riders)
(I will recommend only 10 cyclists)
Tibor Del Grosso, Ben Tulett, Alex Baudin, Paul Lapeira, Laurence Pithie, Fabio Christen, Clément Venturini, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Anders Foldager, Maikel Zijlaard

💰 200 coins (rest of the peloton)
Given the history of this race, loading several names from this range could be a good strategy:
Emiel Verstrynge, Afonso Eulálio, Andrea Bagioli, Michael Valgren, Jon Barrenetxea, Andrea Raccagni Noviero, Simone Gualdi, Vincenzo Albanese, Natnael Tesfatsion, Matyáš Kopecký

📂 User popular vote on the app (15 most selected cyclists).
6 Fantasy editions played (2019, 2021-25)
They got right:
🥇: 5/6
🥈: 4/6
🥉: 3/6
Podium: 12/18
Rest of T10: 18/42
Total: 30/60