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

[Parrulo]

1.30 pm AEDT on GEM, live stream at http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8785996

What's that in real time? GMT or CET

 

[Tragic]

What's that in real time? GMT or CET

2.30 AM London (according to my dashboard)

 

[Tragic]

Break established, Will Clarke (Drapac), Lasse Hansen (CGM), Axel Dumont (AG2R) and Calvin Watson (Trek) with about 2.40

 

[Taxus4a]

This finish suits Ardennes contenders, not necessarily GT contenders. Gilbert would be all over this in peak form.

Evans should take this if he's got any real form, Geschke and Dumoulin should go ok, Pozzovivo is another who can take this. I don't think that Porte can out kick the others, he'd need a gap at the bottom. If De Gendt has recovered from yesterday, I wouldn't rule him out either.

The Gilbert of 2011 or similar would be the main favourite to get this race. He won the KOM mountain one year, when the race was for sprinters.

The Gilbert of other years has no chances in this climb with Evans, Porte o people like that. He won the Worlds, but this is not Cauberg, is harder and longer. He was strong in last year Lombardia, maybe that Gilbert could win here, and for that reason he would had chances to win GC.

 

[Taxus4a]

Yeah ok. Don't forget Lulu (and Rogers if he is fit).

I forget to mention Rogers. Yes, he is a real contender for GC, but I see him better on Willunga.

I dont know who is Lulu, sorry

Australian people is always going to be strong here, and maybe french Jeanesson could do well here too...

I think anything important is going to happen till the last 2 Km...

Unzue has compared Lobato and Freire today, but I think this is too much even for Freire as I said.

Porte is for me an aerodinamic climber, and in this climb that is not so important, but he is strong now and he is the favourite for GC, so...

 

[Tragic]

Anybody know anything about Lobato for a finish like this? Too steep? He sure punched it yesterday.

 

[Taxus4a]

Anybody know anything about Lobato for a finish like this? Too steep? He sure punched it yesterday.

I have said too hard for him, today is more for climbers. This is no Castillo de Burgos , that had some flats.


Lulu is Luis Leon?, jaja, ok, I dont him chances for today, maybe top ten. He said the first day he didnt feel ok, but yesterday he showed a good condition, but yesterday was better for him that today. he could try in the descent previous the finish climb.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Nice tribute to Cadel Evans by his Australian colleagues.

 

[Jancouver]

Nice tribute to Cadel Evans by his Australian colleagues.

Cadel FTW today!

 

[auscyclefan94]

Cadel FTW today!

This is his sort of finish, not sure if he'll have the legs though.

 

[Taxus4a]

I am spanish, I see him this year in Vuelta a España in my village, and for me was great, I think Evans has been on the the strongest riders I have seen, more impresive for me that to see Contador, Lance, Ullrich, Lemond, Pantani, Indurain, Valverde, or Freire, or all the riders I have seen to race with the perspective of the time or the eras, becouse on the moment to see Indurain, Ullrich or Pantani was more impressive...

 

[auscyclefan94]

Gee, the way McEwen is talking about this climb, this could be really nasty. It is effectively a Mur de Huy.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Putting my head on the line, Pozzovivo is my tip.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Lamont cracks....this gap is gonna come down quite quickly now.

 

[Taxus4a]

Gee, the way McEwen is talking about this climb, this could be really nasty. It is effectively a Mur de Huy.

It has not so step parts as Huy, but globaly, with the next 500 m to the real climb, it is a bigger climb.

 

[Yingge]

The Mur De Huy climbs 130m on about 1.3km. From what I can judge, this one seems to be about 150m in 3km, though not as steep in the last km or so.

Either way, it will hurt.

 

[wirral]

Impey will remain close enough on the climb and be the best sprinter in the selection.

The finish is not suitable for a Pozzovivo victory. Steep sections not long enough & false flat at the end gives a chance for a small group to come together for a sprint which Pozzovivo would not win.

 

[Taxus4a]

The Mur De Huy climbs 130m on about 1.3km. From what I can judge, this one seems to be about 150m in 3km, though not as steep in the last km or so.

Either way, it will hurt.

About 150 m in 2,2 Km, but the real climb is 1.2 km at more that 9 % average.

It seems that the breakaway is going to keep the leading till the final climb, but they needed 1 minute there to have any chance.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Giant seem quite keen to ride for Pozzovivo

 

[auscyclefan94]

BMC starting to organise now up the front - Hoping for a big ride from Stetina and Dennis to help Evans

 

[Jspear]

Sky has a big presence in the front.

 

[Parrulo]

Meh technical run in so Machado will be nowhere to be found

 

[auscyclefan94]

Schar is an excellent domestique

 

[auscyclefan94]

Evans and Porte going for it! Pozzovivo s well

 

[Jspear]

Porte digs a little.