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

[damian13ster]

So where was Kittel and Wippert?

 

[Jspear]

 

[42x16ss]

I thought that Checkers Hill would be too far out to help the break, it seems like it was about right.

 

[42x16ss]

So where was Kittel and Wippert?

Hanging on for dear life I think.

 

[Jspear]

I thought that Checkers Hill would be too far out to help the break, it seems like it was about right.

Ya the winding decent I think is what helped them the most. Decent stage.

 

[damian13ster]

Plus peleton was really disorganized. Otherwise they would have caught them. Took unitl 5-7km out to get one group to the front

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Should have been time gaps. You could have driven a bus through the spaces between a number of the top 10.

 

[Jancouver]

I'm glad the break made it otherwise it would be the usual borefest. It is just little concerning that the peloton did not really bother to bring it back.

While we have seen similar miscalculations many times before, some may even look at it that they are not taking the race too seriously ...

oh well, at least they did not catch them and Durbo scored some points for my CQ team

 

[42x16ss]

I'm glad the break made it otherwise it would be the usual borefest. It is just little concerning that the peloton did not really bother to bring it back.

While we have seen similar miscalculations many times before, some may even look at it that they are not taking the race too seriously ...

oh well, at least they did not catch them and Durbo scored some points for my CQ team

It was a strange chase, one minute it was strung out going hell for leather, the next everyone was staring around looking for someone to start the chase again.

I think they got a little complacent...

 

[Lupi33]

Seems like most people would be happy if I would just soften the the words and call things in a way that would make every Aussie and every cycling fan that doesn't care about the race quality happy.

The race is not terrible > the race is just awful.
The race field is not bad > the field is just bellow average
The race course is boring
The race stages are too short
The race weather (usually) is too hot for bike racing (therefore short stages)
The race environment is unappealing
The race is amateurishly organized
The race TV coverage is unsatisfactory (because is amateurishly organized)
The race is too far for most teams
The race is at the wrong time
The race is is Aussies Nationals 2.0
The race fans are obnoxious and unfriendly
The race is attended by WT teams because it is mandatory
The race should be downgraded to 2.1
The race should be moved to another continent or cancelled

TT would not help as it would make the race boring anyway because the race would be targeted by just a few TT specialist ... therefore boring.

tell us more

 

[Sasquatch]

I actually agree with the obnoxious and unfriendly point.

 

[Jspear]

tell us more

The race has started - let's drop that conversation.

 

[Jspear]

 

[TANK91]

Westra wins this if he is in Pnice 2012 form

 

[Lupi33]

I actually agree with the obnoxious and unfriendly point.

I agree with the obnoxious as average Australians arent too smart and behave like Americans overseas

but unfriendly is new to me

 

[sienna]

Seems like most people would be happy if I would just soften the the words and call things in a way that would make every Aussie and every cycling fan that doesn't care about the race quality happy.

The race is not terrible > the race is just awful.
The race field is not bad > the field is just bellow average
The race course is boring
The race stages are too short
The race weather (usually) is too hot for bike racing (therefore short stages)
The race environment is unappealing
The race is amateurishly organized
The race TV coverage is unsatisfactory (because is amateurishly organized)
The race is too far for most teams
The race is at the wrong time
The race is is Aussies Nationals 2.0
The race fans are obnoxious and unfriendly
The race is attended by WT teams because it is mandatory
The race should be downgraded to 2.1
The race should be moved to another continent or cancelled

TT would not help as it would make the race boring anyway because the race would be targeted by just a few TT specialist ... therefore boring.

A bit ilk the Tour of California?

 

[nhowson]

The stream is working, thanks!

Will Orica ever stop wasting Durbridge in those meaningless breaks?

Durbridge is probably the only OGE rider that can drive a break at the TDU.

Also: Chase was very, very disorganised, but that by no means is an indicator that they don't care about the race. Otherwise you could say no one cared about the flat stages in the Tour and Giro where the break nearly made it and made it respectively.

I'd also like everyone to refrain from insulting an entire country and the people who get out and watch this race. It's an easy way to alienate new Australian cycling fans.

 

[nhowson]

I agree with the obnoxious as average Australians arent too smart and behave like Americans overseas

but unfriendly is new to me

Problem is that you only see the loud and annoying ones. My family got mistaken for being English at the TdF (not wearing Sky kit or with a flag or anything). If Australia tourists aren't loud and annoying, you don't notice them.

 

[Lupi33]

I was just curious to hear about Jancouver's personal experiences that made him this way

perhaps a discussion for another thread

I might head out to the start line tomorrow morning.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Should have been time gaps. You could have driven a bus through the spaces between a number of the top 10.

Not a good idea to tempt Aussie buses into restricted spaces...

 

[Kwibus]

I was just curious to hear about Jancouver's personal experiences that made him this way

perhaps a discussion for another thread

I might head out to the start line tomorrow morning.

Jancouver is trolling hard in this thread. Better ignore him.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Final few kms of stage 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El19QsiDhn0

Strong break and some narrow twisty roads at the business end did the trick.

 

[jens_attacks]

nice finale. good start for tdu

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Giant-Shimano is good in taking over in the last kilometres, but they should really learn how to lead the bunch from further out in situations like these. Are they just missing firepower? In sprint stages I only see like three guys of them doing any work, what do the other six do?

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

Giant-Shimano is good in taking over in the last kilometres, but they should really learn how to lead the bunch from further out in situations like these. Are they just missing firepower? In sprint stages I only see like three guys of them doing any work, what do the other six do?

You do realize that there are seven-man teams at this race?

Craddock led the field throughout the day and dropped back early (and finished last with over 10 minutes behind Bobridge). Geschke and Dumoulin were focusing on their GC prospects. That leaves Haga, Timmer and de Kort, with the latter needed for his leadout duties. Hard to control a break of TT machines like Westra and Durbridge with such a small team.