2016 Tour Down Under WT January 19-24 Adelaide

[greenedge]

Re:

Doesnt feel like the real season is underway until the arab stage races and Eurosports agrees.

Qatar is interesting because of the crosswinds/ Oman is good with the big contenders- but no Boonen/Terpstra/Cancellara, or Froome/Contador does detract from these races this year.

 

[Lupi33x]

Re: Re:

Doesnt feel like the real season is underway until the arab stage races and Eurosports agrees.

Qatar is interesting because of the crosswinds/ Oman is good with the big contenders- but no Boonen/Terpstra/Cancellara, or Froome/Contador does detract from these races this year.

Oman is a beautiful race too. They are some big omissions but I expect it should at least have a better field than the TDU.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re:

I like Gerrans. He was in the top 3-4 puncheurs in the world, a notch below Gilbert but with a better sprint. i.e. more pure talent than given credit for. If you can go with the best puncheurs at the end of classic and nail them in the sprint, why the bloody hell wouldn't you? People don't seem to get that in MSR, only he and Nibbles could go with Canc. Nibbles was cooked, Gerrans played it cool - with the team sprinter and previous winner in the next group - and launched a great sprint. That ain't luck. That's brains, legs and heart in harmony. People that would prefer heart alone, separate from legs and brain, don't get bike racing.

LBL was pretty shitty, but the dude played his only hand and came up trumps. Hate should go to the goats who didn't attack, not the best sprinter who hung on. Credit is due there for hanging on in a race that probably is beyond his abilities. I reckon the WC in Spain was the one race where criticism was really warranted. A few turns there could have been enough, but he bet on Belgium and lost. The again, a few turns might have been enough and maybe GVA would have won the sprint.....

What is comes down to is that people hang him for not being a Sagan or a Merckx. But if he could click a button and inherit those genetics, what do you reckon he would do? Ergo, why hate someone for not having superstar genetics and riding in full awareness of that reality?

In sport and life generally, I always prefer the person who makes the most of their more moderate abilities, than the superstars who are born with so much talent that they are streets ahead of the field.

Agree totally. You can only play the hand of cards that are dealt to you on any particular day and those who win are inevitably those who play them with the greatest intelligence. There have been 1-2 times where I think he's lost out (2014 Amstel & 2014 Worlds) by dickering about tactically but if I were a team boss. I 'd much rather have him on my books than a "death of glory" man with a 100% fatality rate.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Not sure about the size as reasoning though. Robbie McEwen was pretty small.

(in physical stature)

Ewan is listed at 5'5" and 130lb. (I'm sure that height has been measured with his cycling shoes on )
Robbie McEwen is 5'7 and 150lb.

In cycling, there is a big difference between 130lb and 150lb.

(btw Cav is also listed at 150lb)

so he's not going to put on 20lbs when he gets a bit older?

btw I'm not buying into Ewan hype, just some of these arguments are specious

Haha, that would be funny if he would pack 20lb. Can you imagine 5'5" and 150lb?

That would be some real competition for Fatancour

Caleb's weight is well out of date. He was listed three years ago at 61kg, McEwen was 67kg. If you saw Caleb now and then I would say the difference would only be about 3kg now.

It's not surprising, Orica are banking everything on bunch sprints for him.

Ewan is 66kg.

 

[yaco]

Gerrans must have read this forum the last 24hrs for inspiration - Did everything right - Got up the climb and outsprinted the remaining sprinters - Seems like Gerrans is back to top form - MSR is beckoning - And Impey is a very good domestique -Every team needs three or four of thesein their teams.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

I like Gerrans. He was in the top 3-4 puncheurs in the world, a notch below Gilbert but with a better sprint. i.e. more pure talent than given credit for. If you can go with the best puncheurs at the end of classic and nail them in the sprint, why the bloody hell wouldn't you? People don't seem to get that in MSR, only he and Nibbles could go with Canc. Nibbles was cooked, Gerrans played it cool - with the team sprinter and previous winner in the next group - and launched a great sprint. That ain't luck. That's brains, legs and heart in harmony. People that would prefer heart alone, separate from legs and brain, don't get bike racing.

LBL was pretty shitty, but the dude played his only hand and came up trumps. Hate should go to the goats who didn't attack, not the best sprinter who hung on. Credit is due there for hanging on in a race that probably is beyond his abilities. I reckon the WC in Spain was the one race where criticism was really warranted. A few turns there could have been enough, but he bet on Belgium and lost. The again, a few turns might have been enough and maybe GVA would have won the sprint.....

What is comes down to is that people hang him for not being a Sagan or a Merckx. But if he could click a button and inherit those genetics, what do you reckon he would do? Ergo, why hate someone for not having superstar genetics and riding in full awareness of that reality?

In sport and life generally, I always prefer the person who makes the most of their more moderate abilities, than the superstars who are born with so much talent that they are streets ahead of the field.

I tend to agree with you. He's certainly not one of my favorite riders but I don't mind Gerrans at all. Actually, the more I think about it, I don't think I've ever disliked a rider because of his racing style. Everyone plays to their strengths, or at least they should.

 

[Wilba60]

Impey has been fantastic for Orica and has showed his value leading out sprints and protecting Gerrans over the hillier sections. He seems to be the only OGE rider able to go up the harder hills with Gerro. They have formed a very good alliance and look to be very good friends as well which was evidenced in the Tour a couple of years ago.

He is a great signing for the OGE team. He seems to be a rider very similar in attributes to Michael Mathews.

 

[skidmark]

Re: Re:

I like Gerrans. He was in the top 3-4 puncheurs in the world, a notch below Gilbert but with a better sprint. i.e. more pure talent than given credit for. If you can go with the best puncheurs at the end of classic and nail them in the sprint, why the bloody hell wouldn't you? People don't seem to get that in MSR, only he and Nibbles could go with Canc. Nibbles was cooked, Gerrans played it cool - with the team sprinter and previous winner in the next group - and launched a great sprint. That ain't luck. That's brains, legs and heart in harmony. People that would prefer heart alone, separate from legs and brain, don't get bike racing.

LBL was pretty shitty, but the dude played his only hand and came up trumps. Hate should go to the goats who didn't attack, not the best sprinter who hung on. Credit is due there for hanging on in a race that probably is beyond his abilities. I reckon the WC in Spain was the one race where criticism was really warranted. A few turns there could have been enough, but he bet on Belgium and lost. The again, a few turns might have been enough and maybe GVA would have won the sprint.....

What is comes down to is that people hang him for not being a Sagan or a Merckx. But if he could click a button and inherit those genetics, what do you reckon he would do? Ergo, why hate someone for not having superstar genetics and riding in full awareness of that reality?

In sport and life generally, I always prefer the person who makes the most of their more moderate abilities, than the superstars who are born with so much talent that they are streets ahead of the field.

I tend to agree with you. He's certainly not one of my favorite riders but I don't mind Gerrans at all. Actually, the more I think about it, I don't think I've ever disliked a rider because of his racing style. Everyone plays to their strengths, or at least they should.

Yes, I totally agree, and on a day like today I respect his coolness in the finale and his perfect timing, etc. Still, bacteria is an example of something that plays to its strengths, and it's admirably resistant, but that doesn't mean that I don't get annoyed when it comes around, because it means bad times are happening.

 

[Lupi33x]

Impey's been with OGE since the start. You'd think he'd know his role by now. Dont know about fantastic, but he's one of their more consistent performers.

 

[observer]

Re: Re:

Gerrans wins ... TDU sucks

Yet you watch it.

It's an addiction. You know it's bad and yet you still do it

If you ever get the chance, you should really get out there to see the race first hand.

Adelaide is a pretty small city, but at that time of year the weather is amazing, it hovers around the 100F mark. The city beaches are clean and quiet and warm (watch out for sharks), because it is all central there are heaps of opportunity to go out for a ride with other fans, do the fondo ride thing on stage 4 and also get out to a heap of top quality vineyards and cellar doors. I recommend Primo Estate out in McLaren Vale.

It is a very welcoming place that time of year. Even if the racing is early season training. Doesn't really matter when you are there and enjoying the well organised event.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re:

Impey has been fantastic for Orica and has showed his value leading out sprints and protecting Gerrans over the hillier sections. He seems to be the only OGE rider able to go up the harder hills with Gerro. They have formed a very good alliance and look to be very good friends as well which was evidenced in the Tour a couple of years ago.

He is a great signing for the OGE team. He seems to be a rider very similar in attributes to Michael Mathews.

He has been an extremely valuable asset for OGE. He has a fairly wide skill-set (can sprint, good in the hills, good engine for TTT & lead-out) so he is not only a valuable worker in many setting but is also a very useful option B who brings in wins and good results every year.

Being from the Southern Hemisphere, he is usually in good form at this time of year which makes him a key lieutenant for TdU. Albasini has been brought out for this race and would normally be the other key wingman for Gerrans but is probably not quite there yet with regards to form or used to the heat.

The likes of Impey, Albasini along with the Keukeleire & the Canadiens have been the proof that OGE has NOT became just an Aussie "mates club" but where riders from anywhere with the right team ethos have found themselves at home and valued for what they contribute. This has been further borne out with Chaves and maybe even the Yates.

 

[42x16ss]

Re: Re:

Impey has been fantastic for Orica and has showed his value leading out sprints and protecting Gerrans over the hillier sections. He seems to be the only OGE rider able to go up the harder hills with Gerro. They have formed a very good alliance and look to be very good friends as well which was evidenced in the Tour a couple of years ago.

He is a great signing for the OGE team. He seems to be a rider very similar in attributes to Michael Mathews.

He has been an extremely valuable asset for OGE. He has a fairly wide skill-set (can sprint, good in the hills, good engine for TTT & lead-out) so he is not only a valuable worker in many setting but is also a very useful option B who brings in wins and good results every year.

Being from the Southern Hemisphere, he is usually in good form at this time of year which makes him a key lieutenant for TdU. Albasini has been brought out for this race and would normally be the other key wingman for Gerrans but is probably not quite there yet with regards to form or used to the heat.

The likes of Impey, Albasini along with the Keukeleire & the Canadiens have been the proof that OGE has NOT became just an Aussie "mates club" but where riders from anywhere with the right team ethos have found themselves at home and valued for what they contribute. This has been further borne out with Chaves and maybe even the Yates.

Very true, it's surprising just how well Impey, Albasini, Tuft, Keukeleire, Meier and especially Chaves have taken to the team. All of them seem to truly enjoy their time at OGE. I'm curious to see what happens with Txurruka.

I might be wrong, but I think the only rider who has had a poor experience is Santamorita. Even Teklehaimanot went straight to the Orica bus to show off the KOM jersey at the TdF and they all gave him a huge congrats (especially Durbridge, who I understand he was quite close to) and Weening seems to have legend status

 

[Wilba60]

I think Edmonson will be a very similar rider to Impey as well. His points score background on the track will mean he has great speed and endurance, so it will be interesting to see how he progresses in the next few years.

Someone on the forum here may know the answer to this but I would love to know where the team thinking was when they seemed to choose Howson and Hepburn over Dennis. All 3 seemed to come from very similar backgrounds but Dennis has really shot ahead at this stage.

For those who are interested OGE are doing the infamous Backstage Pass through the TDU and it is always entertaining. Good to see Hepburn interviewing Jay McCarthy with some good banter after Stage 3. http://www.greenedgecycling.com/backstage-pass/

 

[MatParker117]

Swift should stick to lead outs.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re:

I think Edmonson will be a very similar rider to Impey as well. His points score background on the track will mean he has great speed and endurance, so it will be interesting to see how he progresses in the next few years.

Someone on the forum here may know the answer to this but I would love to know where the team thinking was when they seemed to choose Howson and Hepburn over Dennis. All 3 seemed to come from very similar backgrounds but Dennis has really shot ahead at this stage.

For those who are interested OGE are doing the infamous Backstage Pass through the TDU and it is always entertaining. Good to see Hepburn interviewing Jay McCarthy with some good banter after Stage 3. http://www.greenedgecycling.com/backstage-pass/

At the time OGE was being put together in 2011, Dennis had a bit of a rep behavior-wise and Durbridge & Hepburn WERE actually ahead of him in TT at least. He certainly did get his act together on and off the bike over the next year or so and has gone well ahead. Durbridge had left the track endure program by the start of 2012 and Dennis post London. Hepburn stayed another year on the track which probably slowed his road development.

Hepburn has returned to the track for Rio so he may not been seen too much on the road post these AUS races until after Rio. Ditto Edmondson. Howson (turned pro 2014) is a couple of years behind the Dennis/Hepburn/Durbridge batch and less track pedigree. His first two years have been rather low-key although he has shown some signs of being able to handle the mountains better than Durbridge/Hepburn.

 

[BalearicBeats]

Poor Nizzolo should really have won this sprint!

 

[ray j willings]

Heres Farrar, borrows bike and shoes to finish the race " no problem with that"
What if the bike was under the weight limit etc no UCI credited parts.
Could he be thrown out the race and what if he won on that bike, I bet other team would go ballistic .

 

[Anderis]

Woods lost 8 secs.

 

[greenedge]

Re: Re:

Gerrans wins ... TDU sucks

Yet you watch it.

It's an addiction. You know it's bad and yet you still do it

If you ever get the chance, you should really get out there to see the race first hand.

Adelaide is a pretty small city, but at that time of year the weather is amazing, it hovers around the 100F mark. The city beaches are clean and quiet and warm (watch out for sharks), because it is all central there are heaps of opportunity to go out for a ride with other fans, do the fondo ride thing on stage 4 and also get out to a heap of top quality vineyards and cellar doors. I recommend Primo Estate out in McLaren Vale.

It is a very welcoming place that time of year. Even if the racing is early season training. Doesn't really matter when you are there and enjoying the well organised event.

My flight got cancelled from Sydney to Adelaide 2 hours ago I was looking forward to Willunga (only there for 1 day) and enjoying the cities great food.

 

[greenedge]

@Ray J- I think the whole reason Farrar was allowed to ride that bike was because his team car was so far ahead of him that he couldn't acess team support, let alone even reach the peleton.

@Wilba- Durbridge and Hepburn had come 1st/3rd in the WC ITT in 2011, so I think that must have been the determining factor as to why they were chosen. Also a wild shot in the dark maybe the fact that Bannan would have supervised Hepburn and Durbridge in 2011 (Jayco team) when Dennis was on Rabobank's feeder team in that year played a role.

 

[classicomano]

Re:

Poor Nizzolo should really have won this sprint!

Nizzolo will always find a way to lose a sprint.

 

[Velolover2]

The chance of Gerrans winning is 70-80% now. McCartney and Rohan might have a chance.

Or maybe Henao or Pozzovivo can do something on Willunga Hil, but I doubt it. It's not hard enough.

 

[Der Effe]

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

 

[Jancouver]

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

 

[dirkprovin]

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

Then why DID quite a number of them do so in the years before it went WT ? Some of them may have had an AUS rider on their books, others didn't.