As I said and counter to what craig1985 said, there are people out there (mostly South Australians whom you've outed yourself as) raving about an undope hill at the end of a stage a tad over 100km's. I get that its supposed to limit the riders at the finish but its only an 800 metre section that is difficult. "Poorly designed highway." Oldest highway in Australia. Oldest state in Australia. I know the RTA and council workers suck at the best of times but the engineers can only do soo much with the Blue Mountains. Go back to primary school and tell us how long it took the explorers to traverse the bushland. My point stands. The TDU is often talked about as having some decent climbs...depends on your definition.
I never said Cadel would win a sprint. He isn't Valverde. But I did suggest he could mitigate any damage done by placing high. He certainly has the teammates who could win and pul backl the time bonuses he would loose to other riders. Again, this was all written in my previous post. Is the TDU a one day race? Do most of riders take the event seriously? Heck Robbie himself is never in his best form in January. Hypothetical genius. The point was that if Cadel wanted he stands a very strong chance of winning.
No. Say it isn't so. The name gave you away. Seriously. Typical drivel from aussies who furiously support Cuddles. But the peaking...thats crap and if you don't know it then I think you need to look at your own fitness and redefine what you are capable of. Footballers can hold strong form all season. Peaking, lows or troughs and then highs is a matter of degrees. Absolute best, thats a different story but top GC guys are in good form for most of the year. Focus, the mental aspect, thats more or less what they talk about. Or a medical program. Look at my first paragraph. In cycling speak, how many cyclists are in top form in January?
Why is it then that we always hear about heatwaves in Adelaide? How many years has that been happening. I'm glad your faith in the Bureau of Meteorology is accurate. Do they keep statistics on all the inaccuraies they make on a daily basis for weather forecast? Wow, Adelaide got rain this year. Is that a first? Good for you, because you didn't get more than NSW and Victoria normally get. Thats it...Adelaide got more than it normally does. Again, it will be a very hot summer. Why? Because it has only been hot one week this spring, like last year. Rain...actually is more important, and it will probably delay the real heat by a week or two. That is
nationally as well, which is what I was referring to in the post. Adelaide will get the same more or less with a few variances. So more bushfires and more sun across Australia! Last year every second person was complaining about the heat at the end of January and beginning of February. It will be the same this year, but I'm thinking February will be sweltering. Heck the news stations will play the stats game and talk about the "hottest summer on record." It is always about the stats...they sell the stories and fill in the blank spots for the weather girls.
Bogan not bogun. It is impolite to mispell the word. After all, bogans are people. I don't hear you complaining about the Bogans at Sandown? Or are they exempt? Bogans are common across Australia and not restricted to any specific zone. As for the beer comment. Well QLD has XXXX, VIC has Victoria Bitter and NSW has Tooheys Blue. If you drink that rubbish thats your problem. What does SA have? Are you going to claim Coopers because of a brewery's location? Tasmania has its own beer by association of brand and what the population drink. SA has wine. Go figure. But perhaps that explains your bogan statement...too many yuppies who think they're higher in the social labber than they really are, trying to be something they are not?
As for Inverell. Boring. Next town please. Oh wait its called Moree and looks identical. Next town please. The same, again. Maybe I hear an echo, but I'll repeat it for you, only the tragics care.
Who cares about the numbers? Do you work for the TDU or the government? You'd fit right in. The population of Bathurst doubles during the first week of October. Does that make the event relevent in terms of quality? No. Most locals don't care at all. Most people in Australia hate cyclists or do not understand the culture. The TDU has done nothing to combat that. Now they are championing the participation a rider who divides public opinion and when asked to make a comment regarding car/cycling relations puts his big foot in it. If you want a lovely piece of writing to match your mindest here you go. Just don't tap Cuddles arm if he turns up in Adelaide, you might get squealed at and slapped like poor Mike:
http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/blog-article/113927/Cadel-down-under-br
The crass of the second paragraph is comedy gold. Priceless!
As for the status of Australian road cycling being aided by the TDU. A little bit, but not that much. It is the riders who make the event. Fact. This isn't a century old race, but a decade old race. Get back to us in 20 years or when a TdF, Giro or Vuelta winner comes back and rides in SA. You did a fine job selling the race and the virtues of your home state. SA Labor could use your skills come next election, give them a call. The truth is Melbourne over a period of two decades took all sporting events that made Adelaide great. Apart from two sub-par AFL teams, what has Adelaide got? Oh, we'll go for the lost cause in aussie sports...cycling, because no one else wanted it. Nice bragging point. You managed to rehash a textbook marketing sell point. You forgot the headline to get the interest? Or is it LA? Yeah that'll keep the event going, even better, make the race dynamic. I think not.
At least the tennis players try (back to the whole peaking arguement). Oh and there is the eye candy too. Again, Melbourne has far more action in January than Adelaide will ever have...unless the world ends in SA in the month of Janaury. I'd turn up for that.