Australian Summer of Cycling: Nationals, Bay series Crits & other races

[Tuarts]

Yeah it did. Thanks again to Dean Windsor's reporter and Sophie Smith from CyclingCentral

 

[Tuarts]

****, Browny in an ambulance. Don't want to see that happen to anyone.

Who's going to provide the Stage 3 biffo now?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Well done bling! He is already doing well against some formidable opposition.

 

[Tuarts]

Found this:

http://www.livestream.com/jaycobayclassic

 

[Tuarts]

“I said, ‘I’ve got Michael Matthews up the front’ and he said, ‘Alright why am I riding? I’ve got Gerro up in front.'"

Hahaha

 

[abbaskip]

Guessing Dean's updates were being done by his dad.

He's a reasonabley reputable bike coach (and former rider and triathlete).

He was Renshaw's junior coach too. Renshaw and the Windsor's grew up very close.

 

[abbaskip]

I'm tipping Renshaw to clean up...

Is Parker really in? DAOTEC will be pleased.

Renshaw has been a bit disappointing...

Considering how he and Goss seemed to be going nearly identical in sprints towards the end of last year (in Denmark), he seems to be struggling. I knew Goss would be stronger, but I thought Renshaw maybe slightly quicker.

I think those two will have quite a rivalry this year, vying to be number 2 at HTC after Greipel's departure, and vying to be the number 1 sprinter at the worlds for Australia. My early prediction for the worlds is for Renshaw to be leading out Goss. With Davis a floater in there, then a team of workers.

 

[theyoungest]

Renshaw has been a bit disappointing...

Considering how he and Goss seemed to be going nearly identical in sprints towards the end of last year (in Denmark), he seems to be struggling. I knew Goss would be stronger, but I thought Renshaw maybe slightly quicker.

I think those two will have quite a rivalry this year, vying to be number 2 at HTC after Greipel's departure, and vying to be the number 1 sprinter at the worlds for Australia. My early prediction for the worlds is for Renshaw to be leading out Goss. With Davis a floater in there, then a team of workers.

What does Davis have to do to be the undisputed team leader? Goss may be faster after an hour or so of racing, but after 260+ kms, he's got everything to prove.

 

[Tuarts]

Davis, McEwen, Renshaw, Goss plus half a dozen others, Australia has no shortage of sprinters.

 

[abbaskip]

What does Davis have to do to be the undisputed team leader? Goss may be faster after an hour or so of racing, but after 260+ kms, he's got everything to prove.

Win?

Davis is stronger, and better up hills than Goss. But anything easier than last year's worlds, Goss is the man. Goss has won a stage of the Vuleta (when he was there to be lead out for Greipel) and got 2nd and 3rd in two others.

Davis has done ok in under strength TDU fields (I bet he doesn't go close to winning a stage this year), but never really won any big races. Eternal top 5 man.

Goss also won the Philadelphia International Championships, which sounds like a nothing US race, but it's a 250km 'nothing' race.

 

[abbaskip]

Davis, McEwen, Renshaw, Goss plus half a dozen others, Australia has no shortage of sprinters.

Though since McEwen has lost his speed, I'm not sure we have a sprinter in the worlds top 3...

Got loads in the top 10 quite possibly.

 

[theyoungest]

Win?

Davis is stronger, and better up hills than Goss. But anything easier than last year's worlds, Goss is the man. Goss has won a stage of the Vuleta (when he was there to be lead out for Greipel) and got 2nd and 3rd in two others.

Davis has done ok in under strength TDU fields (I bet he doesn't go close to winning a stage this year), but never really won any big races. Eternal top 5 man.

Goss also won the Philadelphia International Championships, which sounds like a nothing US race, but it's a 250km 'nothing' race.

You're not going to make me believe that the Philadelphia International Nothings are raced as hard as the Worlds. Which is what it's all about.

 

[Kwibus]

Reading the CN report makes this win by Matthews seem very very impressive. Ofcourse I didn't see it, but usually the reports are pretty good so I believe it.

The fact they were together for more then half of the race with never more then a minute lead and the bunch riding hard. Also Sky riding hard in the bunch with Gerrans upfront, but they got the idea Goss was in trouble and still Gerrans and Matthews stayed clear of the bunch. Then Matthews had to do all the work in the last 3 laps, because Gerrans had Hendo behind him. Still he won it? Impressive for a 20 year old I'd say.

Regarding which sprinter Australia should bet on for the worlds then I'd say Goss. McEwen is over his top and the others aren't as fast. Keep Davis if the race is so hard that Goss isn't around anymore.
Renshaw will be leadout for Cavendish again while Goss will probably take Greipels spot.

 

[Tuarts]

It's similiar to a break holding a 1 minute lead over the last 25km in a stage I guess. Crits are hard and technical though, so can't really compare them to long stage races

 

[auscyclefan94]

Win?

Davis is stronger, and better up hills than Goss. But anything easier than last year's worlds, Goss is the man. Goss has won a stage of the Vuleta (when he was there to be lead out for Greipel) and got 2nd and 3rd in two others.

Davis has done ok in under strength TDU fields (I bet he doesn't go close to winning a stage this year), but never really won any big races. Eternal top 5 man.

Goss also won the Philadelphia International Championships, which sounds like a nothing US race, but it's a 250km 'nothing' race.

He's competition wasn't overly strong. Beat two youngsters in Sagan & Kristoff.

 

[Sasquatch]

Reading the CN report makes this win by Matthews seem very very impressive. Ofcourse I didn't see it, but usually the reports are pretty good so I believe it.

The fact they were together for more then half of the race with never more then a minute lead and the bunch riding hard. Also Sky riding hard in the bunch with Gerrans upfront, but they got the idea Goss was in trouble and still Gerrans and Matthews stayed clear of the bunch. Then Matthews had to do all the work in the last 3 laps, because Gerrans had Hendo behind him. Still he won it? Impressive for a 20 year old I'd say.

Regarding which sprinter Australia should bet on for the worlds then I'd say Goss. McEwen is over his top and the others aren't as fast. Keep Davis if the race is so hard that Goss isn't around anymore.
Renshaw will be leadout for Cavendish again while Goss will probably take Greipels spot.

I was there watching it. Gerrans didn't take a turn at the front for a long time. Reading the report - if what matthews said is true that Gerrans said to have a sprint after Matthews did all the hard work, then that's not very nice by Gerrans. But I suppose at the end of the day that if Gerrans was the one that was going to take the lead overall, he would have told Matthews to take the stage win. So I guess it cancels out.

 

[Sasquatch]

Goss will win Gent-Wevelgem this year. He or Howard depending which one is winning it. That's the race HTC always seem to win. Boasson-Hagen two years ago, Eisel last year. Fair to say Goss is probably the next one.

 

[Ferminal]

Renshaw has been a bit disappointing...

Considering how he and Goss seemed to be going nearly identical in sprints towards the end of last year (in Denmark), he seems to be struggling. I knew Goss would be stronger, but I thought Renshaw maybe slightly quicker.

I think those two will have quite a rivalry this year, vying to be number 2 at HTC after Greipel's departure, and vying to be the number 1 sprinter at the worlds for Australia. My early prediction for the worlds is for Renshaw to be leading out Goss. With Davis a floater in there, then a team of workers.

Heh, I'm a Goss fanboy but I just thought Renshaw might have a bit to prove ahead of the 2011 season and thus get off to a good start. Obviously I was wrong..!

 

[auscyclefan94]

I was there watching it. Gerrans didn't take a turn at the front for a long time. Reading the report - if what matthews said is true that Gerrans said to have a sprint after Matthews did all the hard work, then that's not very nice by Gerrans. But I suppose at the end of the day that if Gerrans was the one that was going to take the lead overall, he would have told Matthews to take the stage win. So I guess it cancels out.

Sky's tatics were very questionable in today's leg. Why would they chase a Sky rider down if he is in the break away? Whipping up the pace just because Goss is in trouble is a very questionable tatic. Gerrans not taking a turn and thinking he could beat Matthews is also odd. Especially when Goss beat Sutton by a few places in the field sprint.

Sky are a very strong team but their tatics in quite a few races last year more than questionable. Doing the same thing in leadouts over and over again will always get you the same result.

 

[Sasquatch]

Sky's tatics were very questionable in today's leg. Why would they chase a Sky rider down if he is in the break away? Whipping up the pace just because Goss is in trouble is a very questionable tatic. Gerrans not taking a turn and thinking he could beat Matthews is also odd. Especially when Goss beat Sutton by a few places in the field sprint.

Sky are a very strong team but their tatics in quite a few races last year more than questionable. Doing the same thing in leadouts over and over again will always get you the same result.

Yeah Liggett, Keenan and Macka had no idea what was going on. Trevorrow is the one that apparently pointed out that Goss was in trouble and that was probably the reason why they put the hammer down. You can understand it though - Gerrans is not a sprinter so wouldn't outsprint the other sprinters in bunch kicks on more favourable circuits for sprinters. Today wasn't a sprinter circuit. The next two days are. So it's logical that Sutton tries to pick up points I guess despite who is up the road.

If the race was decided on time, it may have been another story. But points, every little point helps.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Yeah Liggett, Keenan and Macka had no idea what was going on. Trevorrow is the one that apparently pointed out that Goss was in trouble and that was probably the reason why they put the hammer down. You can understand it though - Gerrans is not a sprinter so wouldn't outsprint the other sprinters in bunch kicks on more favourable circuits for sprinters. Today wasn't a sprinter circuit. The next two days are. So it's logical that Sutton tries to pick up points I guess despite who is up the road.

If the race was decided on time, it may have been another story. But points, every little point helps.

Yes but even if it isn't a sprinters circuit, why would you try to take on Matthews in a sprint. That's mexican logic. It would of been better if Gerrans just sat on Matthews the whole time and let him do the work. The move would of came back and maybe an extra rider would of helped put the pressure on Goss even more or possibly help CJ win with the leadout.

 

[theyoungest]

Yes but even if it isn't a sprinters circuit, why would you try to take on Matthews in a sprint. That's mexican logic. It would of been better if Gerrans just sat on Matthews the whole time and let him do the work. The move would of came back and maybe an extra rider would of helped put the pressure on Goss even more or possibly help CJ win with the leadout.

Gerrans has every reason to trust in his sprint. Certainly against a first year pro in his second race. It didn't turn out very well for him, but my bet would have been on Gerrans.

 

[Jono L.]

Gerrans has every reason to trust in his sprint. Certainly against a first year pro in his second race. It didn't turn out very well for him, but my bet would have been on Gerrans.

Especially after an hour at threshold.

 

[Night Rider]

Gerrans has every reason to trust in his sprint. Certainly against a first year pro in his second race. It didn't turn out very well for him, but my bet would have been on Gerrans.

No way was Gerrans going to beat Mathews in a sprint. Good race though, good to see one not finish in a bunch sprint.

What were they thinking running part of the circuit on the foot path though?

 

[woodie]

No way was Gerrans going to beat Mathews in a sprint. Good race though, good to see one not finish in a bunch sprint.

What were they thinking running part of the circuit on the foot path though?

It wasn't that bad because the bunch was strung out from the first corner and we were going quick, same for the pro race.