2013 Santos Tour Down Under: 20th Jan - 27th Jan

[Parrulo]

How is Machado on the steeper gradients? Not that great, I think?


Vino? You mean the guy who won a lot of races not by being the strongest, but by being the smartest?

i don't think he is bad at steep stuff, it would be better for him if the climb was a couple k's longer as since it is not even 3k it is still a hill that in terms of distance suits gerrans.

either way he said he wants to be in good shape here and in algarve fighting for the win in both races and getting good results so he then can rest and go to the giro feeling less pressure then he did in 2011 and since guys like gerrans want to be in top shape in april they may still be a bit off form compared to machado.

 

[cineteq]

where is andy and the dolphins?

It jinxed him, it cost him many suspensions/bans.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

it jinxed andy schleck because since I had that avatar his career has been in the dump. so might take it again if he starts riding well this year, or perhaps try a wiggo avatar, eventhough it would sicken me

 

[markene2]

Kash will win stage 2, it suits him well.

@Ryo Hazuki
I see someone is a Shenmue and DC fan

 

[trevim]

i don't think he is bad at steep stuff, it would be better for him if the climb was a couple k's longer as since it is not even 3k it is still a hill that in terms of distance suits gerrans.

either way he said he wants to be in good shape here and in algarve fighting for the win in both races and getting good results so he then can rest and go to the giro feeling less pressure then he did in 2011 and since guys like gerrans want to be in top shape in april they may still be a bit off form compared to machado.

Knowing him, he'll probably peak somewhere after the Giro or before Down Under

 

[auscyclefan94]

lol, I stopped reading there. that is simply a lie and a really bad one

Heiko Salzwedel:

There is no doubt about his physical abilities. He always had an exceptional power-to-weight ratio, which already made him, even as a mountain bike specialist, one of the best possible chances for a Tour de France win.. And I'm talking about a time that was 10 years before he made his debut in that race.

David Martin (sport scientist at the AIS)

"I had spent six years working with really talented" - and he singled out Cadel Evans as the most exceptional

Damian Grundy - cycling coach at the AIS

Sometimes I wonder if Blind Freddy could have done that job. Cadel is exceptional! Physiologically he's the equivalent of an eight foot basketballer. He's exceptionally gifted genetically and sometimes, on reflection, I wonder if anyone could have taken him to success in racing.

Rob Arnold - author of CE's book

And of all the thousands of riders who passed through the halls of the Institute since those early years, none have ever returned the sort of data that a young Cadel Evans produced during his early screening sessions.

I could keep going to prove what an idiot you are, if you want?

because in australia only the tour is important

Well, this post shows your lack of knowledge of Australia, so maybe I should stop reading your posts?

 

[movingtarget]

Well, this post shows your lack of knowledge of Australia, so maybe I should stop reading your posts?[/QUOTE]

What he meant to say was that the world only cares about the Tour not just Australia. General public. In other words the comment is completely pointless like so many others.

 

[Wilba60]

Without even knowing the OGE team for the TDU, I am feeling more and more that it will be a two pronged Simon attack. Both have just raced the Herald Sun Tour and Clarke (who we didn't see in January last year) is looking great. He comes off a pretty successful Vuelta, is going well in the hills and unless he is relegated to Gerrans Lieutenant, will be a formidable force.

Another interesting Aussie contender is CJ Sutton who is flying at the moment and ready to break the OGE hold on the Australian Champions jersey. He is doing a lot of training with Geraint Thomas who I think will also ride well in South Australia.

The hot weather isn't to be underestimated either as Matty Goss found out last Friday. Arriving from a cold European winter will need some reasonable acclimatisation and Goss lost over 30mins in the excrutiating 40+ C weather. Every likelihood that Adelaide/S.A will get similar weather over the TDU.

 

[Ruudz0r]

G is already looking skinny, hopefully he can surprise, willunga hill should be doable for him.

 

[auscyclefan94]

G is already looking skinny, hopefully he can surprise, willunga hill should be doable for him.

Can he go with better puncheurs like Gerrans or some of the other Australians and Spaniards? I doubt that.

Without even knowing the OGE team for the TDU, I am feeling more and more that it will be a two pronged Simon attack. Both have just raced the Herald Sun Tour and Clarke (who we didn't see in January last year) is looking great. He comes off a pretty successful Vuelta, is going well in the hills and unless he is relegated to Gerrans Lieutenant, will be a formidable force.

Another interesting Aussie contender is CJ Sutton who is flying at the moment and ready to break the OGE hold on the Australian Champions jersey. He is doing a lot of training with Geraint Thomas who I think will also ride well in South Australia.

The hot weather isn't to be underestimated either as Matty Goss found out last Friday. Arriving from a cold European winter will need some reasonable acclimatisation and Goss lost over 30mins in the excrutiating 40+ C weather. Every likelihood that Adelaide/S.A will get similar weather over the TDU.

Many of the Euros come out a week before to acclimatise. I think they should be alright.

 

[Wilba60]

Many of the Euros come out a week before to acclimatise. I think they should be alright.[/QUOTE]

I am not so sure on that unless they are coming from training in warmer locations, especially if the temps start to get above 35C. It is an interesting physiological question.

I think a week will prepare them ok for the moderate days but the really hot days will be too much for them if they have come from winter training. Will be interesting to see the earliest weather reports and see if any super hot days are coming. The day we (Melbourne) had 41C last week, Adelaide had mid 40's and a very strong, hot wind.

 

[Parrulo]

well machado has been racing and training with temperatures over 40ºc all his life so he will be just fine.

he gave a small interview to jornalciclismo:
http://jornalciclismo.com/?p=29123

"if i have a dorsal on my back and a helmet on my head then i am racing to win"

also disagrees with the interviewer hints that his excessive aggressiveness does more harm then good to his results.

good to see he isn't going to become a conservative rider after a bad season

 

[The Hitch]

also disagrees with the interviewer hints that his excessive aggressiveness does more harm then good to his results.

good to see he isn't going to become a conservative rider after a bad season

No, bad. Remember what happened to Froome when he decided he was gong to be more conservative rather than waste energy attacking

 

[Gloin22]

Not perfect thread, but Australian racing so here goes.

Is there some official startlist on whos riding the Aussie Nats ITT and RR ?

 

[Geraint Too Fast]

Not perfect thread, but Australian racing so here goes.

Is there some official startlist on whos riding the Aussie Nats ITT and RR ?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/cycling-australia-road-national-championships-mens-start-list#

 

[Gloin22]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/cycling-australia-road-national-championships-mens-start-list#

Thanx

Btw, when CQ ranking says that Ausie TT is on 9th afternoon I guess ?

Would time and day would that be for Europeans ?

 

[the asian]

It seems Michael Hepburn isn't starting either the RR or TT. Does anybody know the reason?

 

[Ruudz0r]

Thanx

Btw, when CQ ranking says that Ausie TT is on 9th afternoon I guess ?

Would time and day would that be for Europeans ?

Wednesday, 9 January – Time Trials

Lake Wendouree, Ballarat

•9:30am: U23 Men’s Time Trial (29.2kms)
•12:00pm: Elite & U23 Women’s Time Trial (29.2kms)
2:30pm: Elite Men’s Time Trial (37kms)

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 January – Road Races

Geelong Rd, Buninyong

Saturday

•9:00am: U23 Men’s Road Race (2 x Big & 8 x Small laps) 137.2kms
•1:30pm: Elite & U23 Women’s Road Race (2 x Big & 5 x Small laps) 106.6kms

Sunday

•11:30am: Elite Men’s Road Race (3 x Big & 11 x Small laps) 195.6kms


Its somewhere at night in europe.

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

Think this race will be an important indicator for us Astana fans to see if Maxim has managed to get his *** on the bike and trained properly this winter.
Personally I am afraid that the LBL victory might have killed his motivation to do what needs to be done form him to reach his top form

 

[Wilba60]

Thanx

Btw, when CQ ranking says that Ausie TT is on 9th afternoon I guess ?

Would time and day would that be for Europeans ?

2.30pm on the 9th will be -11hrs for London time, so 3.30am in the UK (same day).

 

[Wilba60]

Early weather forecast suggests perfect weather for the TDU. No sign in the early forecasts of 35-45C temps, which mean there may not be a lot of wind around either.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/au/adelaide/25257/january-weather/25257
20
Warmer
31° Lo 20°
21
Colder
25° Lo 16°
22
Sunny
27° Lo 16°
23
Sunny
27° Lo 16°
24
Sunny
30° Lo 21°
25
Sunny
30° Lo 20°
26
Cloudy
29° Lo 20°
27
Partly sunny
30° Lo 21°

 

[Wilba60]

And for the Australian Championships; only suggesting one really hot day and there is no racing on the Friday, so looks perfect. Could be a degree or two cooler in Ballarat.

Wednesday 9 January
SummaryMin 13Max 20Morning shower or two.
Melbourne area
Isolated showers during the morning. Afternoon sunny periods. Winds southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h.

Thursday 10 January
SummaryMin 13Max 28Becoming sunny.
Melbourne area
Mostly sunny. Light winds.

Friday 11 January
SummaryMin 18Max 37Possible late shower.
Melbourne area
Partly cloudy. The chance of showers during the afternoon and evening. Winds north to northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h shifting cooler south to southwesterly during the afternoon.

Saturday 12 January
SummaryMin 18Max 25Possible morning shower.
Melbourne area
Partly cloudy. The chance of showers during the morning. Winds south to southwesterly and light increasing to 15 to 25 km/h during the day.

Sunday 13 January
SummaryMin 15Max 26Partly cloudy.
Melbourne area
Partly cloudy. Winds south to southeasterly and light increasing to 15 to 20 km/h during the morning.

 

[jens_attacks]

Think this race will be an important indicator for us Astana fans to see if Maxim has managed to get his *** on the bike and trained properly this winter.
Personally I am afraid that the LBL victory might have killed his motivation to do what needs to be done form him to reach his top form

well we have kash anyway

 

[Vino attacks everyone]

well we have kash anyway

Yes ofc, but it would be nice to have Iglinsky there to win some classics to, not just GCs with Kash

 

[42x16ss]

Can he go with better puncheurs like Gerrans or some of the other Australians and Spaniards? I doubt that.


Many of the Euros come out a week before to acclimatise. I think they should be alright.

I'm interested to see what Koen de Kort can do in the TDU for Argos now they finally have an invite. He has spent the last 3-4 off seasons based on the Gold Coast and is usually flying this time of the year.

He obviously won't win the GC but does anyone think that he could shake things up a little?