2014 Tour Down Under Stage 2: Prospect -> Stirling, 150km (2.WT)

[auscyclefan94]

2014 Tour Down Under Stage 2: Prospect -> Stirling, 150km (2.WT)

Startlist

Start time: 11am (Prospect Road, near Town Hall)

ŠKODA King of the Mountain: Seaview Road, Could Creek – near One Tree Hill Road and Checker Hill Road, Checker Hill

Sprint locations: Black Top Road, One Tree Hill and Onkaparinga Valley Road, Balhannah – near High School

Feed station: Onkaparinga Valley Road, Woodside

Finish time: 2.57pm ETA

Video: Race Preview

 

[peterst6906]

Another stage that looks good for Gerrans.

Maybe Evans fighting him tomorrow and possibly after his showing today, Gesink (but he always disappoints just when I think he is looking good).

 

[auscyclefan94]

I'll go Greipel for today. He won't make the same mistake twice and I personally think the finish is not as hard as today's.

 

[peterst6906]

I'll go Greipel for today. He won't make the same mistake twice and I personally think the finish is not as hard as today's.

Maybe, but he didn't finish all that high on the Stirling finish last year.

That was where Slagter beat Goss from Gilbert, but the stage was basically the same circuit 6.5 times compared to it being just the finish 2.5 times this year.

Not sure of Goss's form at the moment, but Gerro there is no doubt about.

Must admit though, the last 3 km are really gentle and not as inclined as the compressed profile indicates, so Greipel should be there amongst it: http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/documents/STDU_2014_Stage_2_profiles_LR.pdf

 

[theyoungest]

I'll go Greipel for today. He won't make the same mistake twice and I personally think the finish is not as hard as today's.

There isn't a climb before it, but the finish itself is harder. Even more suited to Gerrans.

 

[karlboss]

Matthews in 2011 over greipel goss and gerrans, clarke in 2012 matthews won the sprint home for second, infront of gerrans, valverde and EBH, and 2013 has already been mentioned, I think we can see the type of finish it is.
Usual suspects will be up there.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Thurau will be in the early break. Ewan will make it this time or at least he should be part of the bunch sprint. Lotto train here we go.

 

[karaev]

Anyone thinks Kittel have a chance?

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Danny van Poppel made it over the hill in stage 1. I think he should also be able to handle a bit more difficult finish like this stage, so I think he can do well. But Gerrans is clearly the favourite again, Greipel should be up there again as well though.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Not personally. It's more one for Degenkolb than Kittel, of riders at Giant-Shimano (not necessarily of riders in this race).

It's one for sprinters who are a little more adept/versatile, and the fastest men of some decent hilly riders. The finish is uphill, but it's not a proper puncheur's finish either. Of people in the race I'd suggest riders like Gerrans, Gavazzi, Roelandts, Hermans, Matthews, Rojas, along with the Evanses and Valverdes of the world if they're on the right form. There are others, but if they didn't make the front group today then I doubt they're on sufficient form to beat the likes of Gerrans here.

 

[Ferminal]

The extended drag is usually too much for Greipel who as you saw today can climb, but cannot refill his legs in time to sprint (same for his team who can't get the speed high enough). He's never won here before but you never know. Gerrans with Impey/Matthews leadout is pretty tough to beat...

 

[theyoungest]

Not personally. It's more one for Degenkolb than Kittel, of riders at Giant-Shimano (not necessarily of riders in this race).

It's one for sprinters who are a little more adept/versatile, and the fastest men of some decent hilly riders. The finish is uphill, but it's not a proper puncheur's finish either. Of people in the race I'd suggest riders like Gerrans, Gavazzi, Roelandts, Hermans, Matthews, Rojas, along with the Evanses and Valverdes of the world if they're on the right form. There are others, but if they didn't make the front group today then I doubt they're on sufficient form to beat the likes of Gerrans here.

Huh? Hermans? Not really the punchy type. Ulissi is a more obvious choice.

Also, it's an uphill drag not unlike Quebec...

 

[ItalianGigolo]

I wonder if Von Hoff can repeat his good performance from first stage... He looks in great form. I'm also cheering for Caleb Ewan to pass the hills and get a good placing.

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

uphill sprint specialist Gesink ofcourse

 

[maltiv]

This stage has had a surprise winner each time the last 4 years...

So I'll go with Geschke or Alaphilippe.

 

[movingtarget]

The extended drag is usually too much for Greipel who as you saw today can climb, but cannot refill his legs in time to sprint (same for his team who can't get the speed high enough). He's never won here before but you never know. Gerrans with Impey/Matthews leadout is pretty tough to beat...

Looks like Gerrans. Would like to see Evans or Gesink do well.

 

[greenedge]

I will say Gavazzi or Matthews to win. Ewan or Greipel to podium.

 

[TheEnoculator]

Geschke was looking strong yesterday. I'll go with him.

 

[barmaher]

I think it is hard to look past Gerrans again. This is another stage type that should suit him.

You can say all you like about Greipel struggling to refill his legs, but he still beat loads of guys, and Gerrans beat him. I think Gerrans is on piping hot form.

It will be intersting to see how the GC guys go in this. Theoretically, Evans would go close in this if he is on form.

 

[BigMac]

Profile is very, very decieving. Last km's are nearly flat.

At first I was going to say Cadel but now I'll stick to either Gerrans or Ulissi. Cadel still in top5 though.

Last 3 km's:

 

[theyoungest]

Profile is very, very decieving. Last km's are nearly flat.

At first I was going to say Cadel but now I'll stick to either Gerrans or Ulissi. Cadel still in top5 though.

Last 3 km's:

That profile is useless. Why not just look at the 5 times this race has finished here already? It's a long uphill drag, which allowed guys like Matthews and Slagter to win. Both Evans and Gerrans have gotten close.

 

[BigMac]

That profile is useless. Why not just look at the 5 times this race has finished here already? It's a long uphill drag, which allowed guys like Matthews and Slagter to win. Both Evans and Gerrans have gotten close.

Sorry, I never watched any editions of TDU entirey, only some recap stages in YT and always missed the stage finishing in Sterling.

While you were writing your comment I went to search for last year's stage 3, and realized it is like you say.

Thanks. I'll definetely go with Ulissi.

 

[Gloin22]

Well Gerrans maybe has lesser acceleration to Ulissi but better sprint for sure, the guy beat Sagan in straight sprint last year. Will be intresting how it develops, few contenders here.

 

[Taxus4a]

I know Verona, I wouldnt say he is my friend, but I have talked with him several times by internet and in person and I always remerber when in Neila he was descending after the stage in a 20 % slope and give me the hand.

He is a very hard worker, ha has trained very hard this winter in Navacerrada, his home...he has a lot of quality, but his main strength is his mind, it is that make difference with him respect others, and he will be a big champion, even in this mundialized cycling that will be full of eritrean and things like that...

He is just 21..of course Sagan was a start at that age, but Verona is a different kind of rider, he go step by step, learning, but sometyimes is not possible to hide his quality, and yersterday, working, he was the first of the team and best young rider. he is humble anyway.

You can see me in crazy way screaming riders and pushing a little (I know is ilegal) to Verona in Vuelta a Castilla y León, puerto del Peñon, in a stage that finished in Sanabria, who was 18 years old (asking pushing is frecuent among people that have worked or behind in GC, dont think in the bad way )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vpW_ZYpRoc

 

[Taxus4a]

I see the race yesterday and they climbed the KOM at the pace of a Garmin rider... very easy, I hoped a little bit more of yesterday, some people are training or afraid of his shape...40 Km/h in a short and flat stage with some wind, but neutral (circuit) and not very strong ,is not big average.

Gerrans has half the race in his pocket. I see Evans second and Ulissi or Gesink in the third possition of the podium.

SKY was dissapointing yesterday.. the worked and now Thomas is at 11 seconds and Porte at 15.