2015 Tour Down Under, Jan 18-25 (2.uwt)

[movingtarget]

It was close to a miracle that Evans missed the crash, considering that he had to skid around the crash site through the middle. There is a good video of it on the Cycling Central facebook page.

When you think of the best GC riders over the last 10 years. Evans probably falls less than than anyone. He is a very good bike handler plus there might be an element of dumb luck but his positioning in the bunch, his descending skills and the way he rides the TT always using up all of the road is top quality.

 

[Enrico Gimondi]

Predictions for Stage 5? Looks to be the first real climbing of the race. Pozzovivo is aiming for today, but can he make a move with his injury?

 

[BigMac]

Lawson.

Even worse, I have him on my CQ team.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Lawson.

Even worse, I have him on my CQ team.

Was Craddock involved with the business end crash or a separate incident?

 

[BigMac]

Was Craddock involved with the business end crash or a separate incident?

Separate incident. Punctered early in the race and fell into a roadside ditch. Fractured the sternum, a rib and a wrist. Will be a tough recovery.

 

[Jancouver]

Yeah but that's almost a South American Nationals- all 4 stage victories have been by South Americans. OTOH of course, San Luis is not WT, but the altitude and weather does massively aid them.

Doesn't the weather in AU also massively aid the local Aussie conti team? As you said, San Luis is not WT therefore not mandatory ...

Sorry to hear about all the injuries

 

[Lupi33]

weather this week not much different to summer in Spain at sea level

 

[LPP68!]

But it is not summer in Spain. Riding in 25-30 degrees is not to bad when you have done that for months, as the Aussies have, but it might be different when you get of an aeroplane that took of in freezing temperatures.

 

[slosada]

Yeah but that's almost a South American Nationals- all 4 stage victories have been by South Americans. OTOH of course, San Luis is not WT, but the altitude and weather does massively aid them.

Funny to hear "South American Nationals" as if we can have 12 nations (this is keeping Central America and the Caribbean countries appart) racing only one championship.

The altitude part cannot be that bad as they mostly race below the 1000m mark. El Amago reaches 1720m and Comechingones will be the only place beyond 2000m... On the other hand, had they been riding in Bolivia (or even in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia or México)...

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

the altitude argument in san luis is hilarious considering san luis is a race at sea level save 2 climbs in the entire race.

 

[SlimChance]

Will Impey lose too much time tonight to finish in the top 4 in the GC?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Result from last year's stage:
1 Richie Porte (Aus) Team Sky 3:42:20
2 Diego Ulissi (Ita) Lampre-Merida 0:00:10
3 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica Greenedge 0:00:10
4 Robert Gesink (Ned) Belkin-Pro Cycling Team 0:00:14
5 Daryl Impey (RSA) Orica Greenedge 0:00:14
6 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:14
7 Nathan Haas (Aus) Garmin Sharp 0:00:17
8 Egor Silin (Rus) Team Katusha 0:00:17
9 Adam Hansen (Aus) Lotto Belisol 0:00:17
10 Geraint Thomas (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:21

Impey will be up there, but Orica will have to do something very special if they want to improve or perhaps even keep his GC position imo.

 

[jaylew]

When you think of the best GC riders over the last 10 years. Evans probably falls less than than anyone. He is a very good bike handler plus there might be an element of dumb luck but his positioning in the bunch, his descending skills and the way he rides the TT always using up all of the road is top quality.

Agreed all around. His positioning has always been top notch. When there are splits in the bunch, you can almost always count on Cadel being in the front group.

 

[RiccoDinko]

BONIFAZIO, Niccolo (LAMPRE - MERIDA)

Caused the crash. From the overhead, you can see his leadout man peel off, he fights to get back into the train, moves left into rider in red jersey, who then touches wheels with the rider front left of him.

Or maybe it was Hauseler he touched wheels with, and Lampre is innocent, everything happens so fast in the sprints, lucky there's not more carnage.

 

[SlimChance]

Impey will be up there, but Orica will have to do something very special if they want to improve or perhaps even keep his GC position imo.

Thanks. I kinda knew he needed a stage win to podium.

 

[manafana]

Expect a full out Porte attack this time, knows what it takes, but chance that him and Evans watch each other little too much. Porte needs to play the bluff if he needs too.

 

[jens_attacks]

At what hour should i wake up for the last 30 km?
Thanks

Vai domenico!

 

[Coat-O]

I think it will be hard for Porte to drop Evans (and even Dumoulin/Dennis).

The climb is not very long, but is raced twice. Sky have to make the race very hard, especially when they hit Willunga Hill for the first time.

 

[The Hegelian]

Dennis looks the goods to me. He definitely has the talent and the form to be top 5 (or better) on Wilunga. And Evans will pounce on any threatening GC attacks, so he can ride pretty conservatively.

Depends a bit on BMC tactics I guess, but it's theirs to lose, no doubt.

 

[manafana]

Wonder what Dennis and Evans dynamic is like behind scenes. Surely a little tension as Evans does really want this. Porte really suited this last year so interesting see how plays out.

 

[Jspear]

Wonder what Dennis and Evans dynamic is like behind scenes. Surely a little tension as Evans does really want this. Porte really suited this last year so interesting see how plays out.

If Porte makes things hard enough in the final I think Evans will stick with him but Dennis will be dropped. IMO Dennis isn't a threat to Evans - the stronger man (Evans) should end up with the leaders jersey after the stage.

 

[ferryman]

At what hour should i wake up for the last 30 km?
Thanks

Vai domenico!

Just checking myself. Live coverage here (Scotland) starts at 12.30am and concludes at 4.30am....soo, work out from that wherever you are

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Wonder what Dennis and Evans dynamic is like behind scenes. Surely a little tension as Evans does really want this. Porte really suited this last year so interesting see how plays out.

There could be, but I expect that Dennis will be willing to operate as "reserve" GC leader for Evans last WT race.

 

[the sceptic]

Just checking myself. Live coverage here (Scotland) starts at 12.30am and concludes at 4.30am....soo, work out from that wherever you are

the correct answer is of course to never go to bed in the first place

 

[ferryman]

the correct answer is of course to never go to bed in the first place

Been a long day, guaranteeing fireworks?