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

[Kwibus]

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.

Indeed, they do rely on other teams bringing it back a lot though. Most of the time it works for them, other teams always do it for them. Etixx almost did it today as well.

 

[pastronef]

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.

great win!! great stage! nice win for Bobridge

 

[De Snelle Duif]

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.

I did not, that clarifies a bit. Still, they also do this in races with 9 man teams. They did apparently control a bit in the beginning but I didn't watch then so I have no idea which riders were leading the peloton.

Most of the time they can rely on Quickstep but they use their normal "sprint finish team" in San Luis I guess. Also, really strong TTers in the break make it harder to take them back.

 

[Dr. Juice]

The stream is working, thanks!

Will Orica ever stop wasting Durbridge in those meaningless breaks?

Post of the day (night)

 

[mastermind]

I did not, that clarifies a bit. Still, they also do this in races with 9 man teams. They did apparently control a bit in the beginning but I didn't watch then so I have no idea which riders were leading the peloton.

Most of the time they can rely on Quickstep but they use their normal "sprint finish team" in San Luis I guess. Also, really strong TTers in the break make it harder to take them back.

Didn't they have that one Chinese guy who was pretty strong at bringing back breaks?

 

[trevim]

Didn't they have that one Chinese guy who was pretty strong at bringing back breaks?

Yeah they have a Chinese guy who is pretty decent and who was severely hyped but he's not in this race

 

[mastermind]

Yeah they have a Chinese guy who is pretty decent and who was severely hyped but he's not in this race

No, I know he isn't in the race
I was more talking about their general riding at the front power.

 

[Tournesol]

Ji Cheng, "The Breakaway Killer", first Chinese rider to compete in a GT,think he's done all three now. Not hyped as such, works tirelessly for the team.

 

[burning]

He's just a very poor Bert Grabsch, but It looks like he still does an okay job.

 

[May0maniac]

Ji Cheng, "The Breakaway Killer", first Chinese rider to compete in a GT,think he's done all three now. Not hyped as such, works tirelessly for the team.

Yes, and Phil Liggett embarassed himself when he talked about him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPos43u87VM

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Stage 1 winner:

More pics: http://www.steephill.tv/2015/tour-down-under/photos/stage-01/

 

[the sceptic]

what do we think about tonights stage? Finish too hard for Kittel?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Stage 2 profile:

Evans or Impey FTW.

Big group on ST.

 

[Jancouver]

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.

How I wish every race was restricted to 7 or rather just 6 man teams. Plus take away the radios and we will have some exciting bike racing.

Perhaps TDU should be the guinea pig for testing some rule changes etc. That could make this race a little more exciting

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Dumoulin FTW

 

[jens_attacks]

Impey for me too
Or ll sanchez

 

[ILovecycling]

LLS
10chars

 

[markene2]

Agree that lulu will win here

 

[May0maniac]

Moser ftw! I hope that this season he'll get back on track.

 

[De Snelle Duif]

Hoping for De Gendt here

 

[Coat-O]

De Gendt to attack with a strong kick 1,5k to go and win it.

 

[Coat-O]

The finish is tailor-made for Samuel Dumoulin when I think about it.

 

[will10]

The finish is tailor-made for Samuel Dumoulin when I think about it.

Samuel won't even be first Dumoulin.

 

[More Strides than Rides]

Perhaps TDU should be the guinea pig for testing some rule changes etc. That could make this race a little more exciting

Because of the TFU's place in the season, a lot of the effects may not translate to racing done at closer to 100% fitness/peaking.

But I agree in general: try different stuff.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Samuel won't even be first Dumoulin.

Didn't even realise that two Dumoulin's were in this race when I wrote "Dumoulin FTW". It was in fact Tom Dumoulin I was referring to.