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

[greenedge]

True, I had heard that as well.

Recent update- Kolar has dropped out, while Flakemore has broken his collarbone riding from Stirling back to Adelaide- around 20 or so KM's of descending for the most part.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Didn't see the stage,anyone know what happened to Haussler?

I don't know if something "happened", but in my opinion, Haussler didn't really look that good on the hills/climbs in the Nationals, so it's not surprising that he didn't have what it takes here, although usually this should be a finish that suits him well.

 

[Lil_Tommy_V]

What sort of a time gap do you think a guy like Daryl Impey will need coming into Willunga Hill? He is clearly OGE's main man. Bonus seconds will be crucial over the next 2 stages

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjfaPuYG4vM

 

[Netserk]

Lobato pretty far back (19th!) with what 500m to go? 40 seconds later he wins with two bike lengths. Props.

 

[will10]

Lobato sprinting on the hoods like a chopper...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Lobato pretty far back (19th!) with what 500m to go? 40 seconds later he wins with two bike lengths. Props.

Wow, yeah you're right. Pretty impressive!

 

[search]

I don't know if something "happened", but in my opinion, Haussler didn't really look that good on the hills/climbs in the Nationals, so it's not surprising that he didn't have what it takes here, although usually this should be a finish that suits him well.

has he ever been particularly good in uphill sprints at all? Sure, he can limit his losses on climbs and stuff, but at the moment I can't remember any result that proofs that he is anything special in that regard.

 

[Lupi33]

tomorrow's finish as far as I can make out with google maps

 

[auscyclefan94]

Evans said in the post race press conference that he didn't feel he had the same 'zip' in the sprint as he did last year. Interesting comments

 

[Tournesol]

has he ever been particularly good in uphill sprints at all? Sure, he can limit his losses on climbs and stuff, but at the moment I can't remember any result that proofs that he is anything special in that regard.

He said stage 2 was a target for him for a win.

 

[Sasquatch]

Evans said in the post race press conference that he didn't feel he had the same 'zip' in the sprint as he did last year. Interesting comments

He is still the favourite for tomorrow's stage but if he doesn't have the zip, then Dumoulin and Sanchez will go close.

 

[search]

He said stage 2 was a target for him for a win.

yes, I know he did. But that doesn't make him a favorite I think, there's a reason he has only won 2 sprints in the last 3 years, although probably targeting dozens of those. And as I said, I can't remember him winning an uphill sprint at all since he turned pro 10 years ago

 

[Dr. Juice]

https://www.strava.com/segments/torrens-hill-road-635677

Profile of that final hill. 1.2 km 9%. Last 700 m are false flat. What can we expect?

 

[Tournesol]

yes, I know he did. But that doesn't make him a favorite I think, there's a reason he has only won 2 sprints in the last 3 years, although probably targeting dozens of those. And as I said, I can't remember him winning an uphill sprint at all since he turned pro 10 years ago

None of which i necessarily disagree with but most bookmakers had him 2nd/3rd favourite. Maybe we shouldn't listen to him too much.

 

[Jancouver]

True, I had heard that as well.

Recent update- Kolar has dropped out, while Flakemore has broken his collarbone riding from Stirling back to Adelaide- around 20 or so KM's of descending for the most part.

Flakemore out?! That sucks! Below I found some more details, apparently the fans were involved and caused the crash

"Witnessed it. Fans riding too close behind and a kid, looked about 14 overcooked it on a hairpin and took out Flakemore's back wheel."

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/01/f...iding-back-from-tour-down-under-stage-finish/

And people around here were upset when I called the Aussie fans "Obnoxious" ...

 

[NairoQ]

Yeah that's probably because plain insults can upset people.

https://www.strava.com/segments/torrens-hill-road-635677

Profile of that final hill. 1.2 km 9%. Last 700 m are false flat. What can we expect?

Looking at the rankings suggests Impey has targeted this one, but I expect a good race from Stetina and Villella as well!

 

[Sasquatch]

The pace will be fast on that 1km @ 9% so I don't think anyone will get away - and whoever does will be brought back on the false flat. Group sprint of about 5-15 riders.

 

[ILovecycling]

The pace will be fast on that 1km @ 9% so I don't think anyone will get away - and whoever does will be brought back on the false flat. Group sprint of about 5-15 riders.

and others will be dropped?

I think more like 20-30 riders.

 

[Taxus4a]

https://www.strava.com/segments/torrens-hill-road-635677

Profile of that final hill. 1.2 km 9%. Last 700 m are false flat. What can we expect?

What you mean? After the climb there is 700 m of flase flat?

 

[dirkprovin]

Flakemore out?! That sucks! Below I found some more details, apparently the fans were involved and caused the crash

"Witnessed it. Fans riding too close behind and a kid, looked about 14 overcooked it on a hairpin and took out Flakemore's back wheel."

http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/01/f...iding-back-from-tour-down-under-stage-finish/

And people around here were upset when I called the Aussie fans "Obnoxious" ...

Went and read through the full Twitter corro and it appears Flakemore went down on a particularly nasty corner by himself causing the young rider following to also go down rather than being taken out by the rider behind.

The kid, aged 15, rather than being "Joe Public out carrying on like a hoon", is actually a member of a SCOTT sponsored academy program. Maybe more experience may've prevented him from also going down but we see pros making messes of descents. Perhaps Flakemore himself may learn his own mortality !

Questions could be asked why BMC were taking risks in non race conditions on what is reputed as a tricky descent. Perhaps race organisers should have organised an escort for the peleton down the freeway for that part of the return to Adelaide ?

 

[Dr. Juice]

What you mean? After the climb there is 700 m of flase flat?

Yes. Climb is 1.2 km long , 9% average gradient. Last 700 m are false flat (~ 3%) . So the real climb is from 1.9 km to go until 700 m to go.

I think there will be 30 riders in the group, but half of them just hanging on. 10-15 riders with a real chance.
Can Lobato surprise us? I don't know a lot about him except that he is an untypical sprinter with puncheur qualities.

 

[Taxus4a]

The pace will be fast on that 1km @ 9% so I don't think anyone will get away - and whoever does will be brought back on the false flat. Group sprint of about 5-15 riders.

That is not possible with a climb like that at the end....

Is is a similar final that Fleche Valone:

Mur de Huy: 1,3 Km at 9,3 %

It is true that Huy has 800 metres at about 12 % or more, with maximun at 25, but the global climb is not much harder, and in Huy there is not an sprint, there are more diferences.

Today the differences will be small, but it will be some seconds, plus the bonus.

 

[Taxus4a]

Yes. Climb is 1.2 km long , 9% average gradient. Last 700 m are false flat (~ 3%) . So the real climb is from 1.9 km to go until 700 m to go.

I think there will be 30 riders in the group, but half of them just hanging on. 10-15 riders with a real chance.
Can Lobato surprise us? I don't know a lot about him except that he is an untypical sprinter with puncheur qualities.

I have seen Lobato win clearly to dani Moreno in Castillo de Burgos, with some hard sections, but that climb has some flats, 1,2 Km at 9,4 % it is really hard, about Huy climb, and 700 metres more at 3 % make that even harder.

It is true that now the shape is important, but Gorka Izaguirre has more chances in that terrein. even for Freire would be really difficult, he couldnt even win in cauberg, that is a lees hard climb, and Lobato is good, but no so good as Freire.

 

[pablohidalgo7]

Impressive sprint by lobato today, he is so good in this kind of sprint, but he is always bad positioned, if movistar help him he can take more wins this year.