2016 Tour Down Under WT January 19-24 Adelaide

[Zinoviev Letter]

I get fed up about the moaning about the TDU from a few people every year. It's an early season race, meaning televised cycling is back. The riders get to kick their year off with some sunshine and a comfortable hotel. It gets good crowds and usually serves up at least two stages with good racing. There's nothing to whine about. What would people prefer? Another fortnight with no televised cycling? Australians, even though they turn out in very big numbers, don't deserve a race?

Anyone who wants to can build form early and fight for it, not just the locals. Look at Michael Woods.

 

[tristecsinamigos]

at what hour does the tv coverage starts?

 

[robin440]

Feel the rush as colours blur,
Feel the rush and hear the purr of wheels in motion
wheels in motion
Feel the rush as pedals whir,
feel the rush as colours blur and wheels in motion
wheels in motion
Welcome to the Tour down under

 

[Sasquatch]

Re: Re:

Porte will destroy everybody on Will, but it ain't enough to take full commend of the race.

Gerrooooooo FT(GC)W

Henao will win on Willunga, he's the best climber in this race. Gerrans will win overall though...

Willunga is such a different climb than Corkscrew. Porte wasn't the best climber on the steepest climb of the race in 2014 and 2015, but he managed to be the best on Willunga the past two years.

Porte only took 10 seconds on Gerrans 2 years ago. The only way Porte wins this stage today is if when he attacks everyone looks at each other, but that won't happen. Porte will be laying it all on the line for Dennis as Dennis is closer on GC and their best shot at winning overall.

 

[stefank]

Re:

Feel the rush as colours blur,
Feel the rush and hear the purr of wheels in motion
wheels in motion
Feel the rush as pedals whir,
feel the rush as colours blur and wheels in motion
wheels in motion
Welcome to the Tour down under

Oh dear. The TDU is not without its downside!

 

[The Hegelian]

I was pretty anti-TDU, but I'm on board now. Mainly because the parcours are pretty sweet now + because of WT status (i.e. teams/riders can rack up points) + short stages mean that it is raced pretty hard. This equals some interesting racing for a very early season 1 week holiday tour.

The corkscrew stage was great, and Wilunga is normally pretty cool.

Small fry on the scale of things, but it has its place.

 

[Jancouver]

Re: Re:

4 stages, 4 Australian winners and 4 Australian GC leaders. Why is this race even World Tour? Well done Gerrans though.

Why it is WT?

Well, we all know the answer ... WT = MANDATORY for WT teams.

If this race wasn't mandatory, other than Orica, no other WT team would show up

Mate, you've been saying this every year since you joined and you've been proven time and time again that top level teams and riders have been turning up since 1999 when it was a 2.1 race.

I remember collating a list of teams and riders last year to dispel this myth yet you continue banging on again next time around. It's like a broken record - you know the season has started because Jancouver is b!tching about the TDU

You are correct, my opinion about this race has not changed. No reason to change my opinion, the race is still the same. Let me just remind you, like it or not, this race has the worst route and the worst field of all WT races.

When you look at the TOP 100 CQ ranked riders, other than few Aussies, there is literally no top riders here and most teams send their rookies and 3rd tier riders.

Therefore, the only positive part about this race is that we have something to argue about and we get to see new kits and kangaroos on TV

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

I get fed up about the moaning about the TDU from a few people every year. It's an early season race, meaning televised cycling is back. The riders get to kick their year off with some sunshine and a comfortable hotel. It gets good crowds and usually serves up at least two stages with good racing. There's nothing to whine about. What would people prefer? Another fortnight with no televised cycling? Australians, even though they turn out in very big numbers, don't deserve a race?

Anyone who wants to can build form early and fight for it, not just the locals. Look at Michael Woods.

That's right. And in the past there's been the likes of Thomas, Slagter, Ulissi, LL Sanchez (who has been coming since 2004 BTW), Greipel and others who've kicked on from strong TDU campaigns to decent seasons.

Yes, in terms of field and parcours it's probably the weakest WT race now Beijing has stopped but both have continued to improve over the years. Enjoy it for what it is.

 

[Orbit501]

Stage just starting.... Which of the Hamilton's will get in the break I wonder?

It's nice to watch a race right from the gun.

 

[Lupi33x]

Re: Re:

I get fed up about the moaning about the TDU from a few people every year. It's an early season race, meaning televised cycling is back. The riders get to kick their year off with some sunshine and a comfortable hotel. It gets good crowds and usually serves up at least two stages with good racing. There's nothing to whine about. What would people prefer? Another fortnight with no televised cycling? Australians, even though they turn out in very big numbers, don't deserve a race?

Anyone who wants to can build form early and fight for it, not just the locals. Look at Michael Woods.

That's right. And in the past there's been the likes of Thomas, Slagter, Ulissi, LL Sanchez (who has been coming since 2004 BTW), Greipel and others who've kicked on from strong TDU campaigns to decent seasons.

Yes, in terms of field and parcours it's probably the weakest WT race now Beijing has stopped but both have continued to improve over the years. Enjoy it for what it is.

How can you improve the parcours when its still in the same place on the same roads?
The fields if anything have been getting weaker every year as more riders choose other more convenient options.

It has its place though, but not as a WT event.

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

4 stages, 4 Australian winners and 4 Australian GC leaders. Why is this race even World Tour? Well done Gerrans though.

Why it is WT?

Well, we all know the answer ... WT = MANDATORY for WT teams.

If this race wasn't mandatory, other than Orica, no other WT team would show up

Mate, you've been saying this every year since you joined and you've been proven time and time again that top level teams and riders have been turning up since 1999 when it was a 2.1 race.

I remember collating a list of teams and riders last year to dispel this myth yet you continue banging on again next time around. It's like a broken record - you know the season has started because Jancouver is b!tching about the TDU

You are correct, my opinion about this race has not changed. No reason to change my opinion, the race is still the same. Let me just remind you, like it or not, this race has the worst route and the worst field of all WT races.

When you look at the TOP 100 CQ ranked riders, other than few Aussies, there is literally no top riders here and most teams send their rookies and 3rd tier riders.

Therefore, the only positive part about this race is that we have something to argue about and we get to see new kits and kangaroos on TV

The race route isn't a bad one and has improved over the last few seasons (hopefully they use the Adelaide hills more in coming years as there are better climbs to be used), the racing is close and the race is well supported by the fans unlike many races around the world and from all accounts very well run event. Races don't always have to draw the best riders for good racing to be had and the riders winning stages win races all year round even if it has been dominated by the locals of late. This race just isn't as bad as you keep insisting but I do admire your persistence

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

I get fed up about the moaning about the TDU from a few people every year. It's an early season race, meaning televised cycling is back. The riders get to kick their year off with some sunshine and a comfortable hotel. It gets good crowds and usually serves up at least two stages with good racing. There's nothing to whine about. What would people prefer? Another fortnight with no televised cycling? Australians, even though they turn out in very big numbers, don't deserve a race?

Anyone who wants to can build form early and fight for it, not just the locals. Look at Michael Woods.

That's right. And in the past there's been the likes of Thomas, Slagter, Ulissi, LL Sanchez (who has been coming since 2004 BTW), Greipel and others who've kicked on from strong TDU campaigns to decent seasons.

Yes, in terms of field and parcours it's probably the weakest WT race now Beijing has stopped but both have continued to improve over the years. Enjoy it for what it is.

How can you improve the parcours when its still in the same place on the same roads?
The fields if anything have been getting weaker every year as more riders choose other more convenient options.

It has its place though, but not as a WT event.

The Parcours can easily be improved as there are a heap more roads in the area that can be used but haven't as yet. The race earned it's WT status over a few seasons and at least it can stand up unlike many other races which struggle financially

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Re: Re:

How can you improve the parcours when its still in the same place on the same roads?

The race routes have changed over the years adding more of the Adelaide hills than were used in its earlier editions. There's a reason why the better sprinters no longer bother going. But that just opens up opportunities for others to get a start and that's not a bad thing. Enough dull flat stages elsewhere.

Whether it's a good race or entertaining is really up to the riders/teams. Don't need the highest rated riders for an enjoyable race to watch. Unfortunately the way races are run is the problem, far too predictable. Same thing happens all round the world and at the top races. Turn on the TV for last 10-20km.

In any case, it'll last as long as the crowds come the Adelaide to watch (which they seem to be doing so far), as that's what drives the SA government to underwrite the cost of running the tour.

 

[RedheadDane]

Personally I love this race!
Though part of it is probably because I've been suffering from lack of cycling for the last couple of months.

BTW: Tinkoff will do cross-wind racing when they get over Wilunga hill.
Even if there is no cross-wind!

 

[Jancouver]

Re: Re:

How can you improve the parcours when its still in the same place on the same roads?

The race routes have changed over the years adding more of the Adelaide hills than were used in its earlier editions. There's a reason why the better sprinters no longer bother going. But that just opens up opportunities for others to get a start and that's not a bad thing. Enough dull flat stages elsewhere.

Whether it's a good race or entertaining is really up to the riders/teams. Don't need the highest rated riders for an enjoyable race to watch. Unfortunately the way races are run is the problem, far too predictable. Same thing happens all round the world and at the top races. Turn on the TV for last 10-20km.

In any case, it'll last as long as the crowds come the Adelaide to watch (which they seem to be doing so far), as that's what drives the SA government to underwrite the cost of running the tour.

I agree with this. Many smaller races are being altered to better suit domestic riders. While the TDU has the WT rating, it is a still a somewhat "smaller" race IMO.

TDU specifically seems to be designed to benefit the strength of the top Aussie riders and that's why those like Greipel no longer bother.

 

[Jancouver]

BTW I'm not sure if anyone else is having issues with the stream today but as I said before, UCI should mandate for WT races to have some kind of official YouTube live video channel or at least, something like the TourTracker they use for the American races.

 

[Asero831]

This is interesting

 

[stefank]

Re:

BTW I'm not sure if anyone else is having issues with the stream today but as I said before, UCI should mandate for WT races to have some kind of official YouTube live video channel or at least, something like the TourTracker they use for the American races.

My stream had been perfect until you posted that. Now it's broken!

 

[TourOfTexas]

Stream is down at ninemsn

 

[ferryman]

Re:

Stream is down at ninemsn

Try this:

http://cricfree.tv/sky-sports-1-live-stream-ss

 

[classicomano]

Louis Westra and Colombian Pantani on the counterattack first time up Willunga.

 

[Lupi33x]

Re: Re:

How can you improve the parcours when its still in the same place on the same roads?

The race routes have changed over the years adding more of the Adelaide hills than were used in its earlier editions. There's a reason why the better sprinters no longer bother going. But that just opens up opportunities for others to get a start and that's not a bad thing. Enough dull flat stages elsewhere.

Whether it's a good race or entertaining is really up to the riders/teams. Don't need the highest rated riders for an enjoyable race to watch. Unfortunately the way races are run is the problem, far too predictable. Same thing happens all round the world and at the top races. Turn on the TV for last 10-20km.

In any case, it'll last as long as the crowds come the Adelaide to watch (which they seem to be doing so far), as that's what drives the SA government to underwrite the cost of running the tour.

I agree with this. Many smaller races are being altered to better suit domestic riders. While the TDU has the WT rating, it is a still a somewhat "smaller" race IMO.

TDU specifically seems to be designed to benefit the strength of the top Aussie riders and that's why those like Greipel no longer bother.

As far as i can tell they've added 1 climb and the willunga stage they've altered the finish. thats it.

The extra climb stage was added mainly because most Australian casual fans watch one bike race a year, that is Le Tour - so being a naive audience everything is measured against that. They wanted to recreate the atmosphere of Le Tour on a couple of stages. Climbing stages are everything and no appreciation for the tactics of sprinting. It was more of a commercial decision rather than favouring local riders.

I assumed Greipel bypassed it as there are better options available now in places like Qatar, and the money is better without having to travel half way round the world. He's also a bigger star now than when he first started going to the TDU.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

I get fed up about the moaning about the TDU from a few people every year. It's an early season race, meaning televised cycling is back. The riders get to kick their year off with some sunshine and a comfortable hotel. It gets good crowds and usually serves up at least two stages with good racing. There's nothing to whine about. What would people prefer? Another fortnight with no televised cycling? Australians, even though they turn out in very big numbers, don't deserve a race?

Anyone who wants to can build form early and fight for it, not just the locals. Look at Michael Woods.

Exactly this.

 

[Jspear]

This stream is working for me.

http://www.fixalen.tv/20160123/vv-1247427-cycling-56a2c982ed32f6.89889144.html

 

[ferryman]

Ha ha. The Lotto boys have ridden a canny race and are now bunching near the front. Look out for Valls