Commonwealth Games Road Races (men and women)

[The Barb]

Yes, I know, these are pretty unremarkable races with lineups to match but for those of us in this part of the world it is at least a chance to watch cycling live without being a zombie at work the next day. Also, the 2014 mens road race was terrific (Geraint Thomas winning despite a having to stop for a mechanical in the last couple of kilometres) but that was more to do with the appalling weather conditions which obviously won't be at play here.

I can't find a course profile but it appears to be pretty flat (the finish certainly is) and the order of favouritism (Chloe Hosking and Adam Blythe head the markets) suggest it's expected to be a sprint of some size.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Parker]

I wouldn't be so sure about it being sprint. Small teams and quite a wide range of abilities will break it up. The 2010 race was held on probably the flatest circuit ever devised but it broke up a lot and turned out to be a terrific race. Only five riders finished within a minute of the winner.

 

[The Barb]

Re:

I wouldn't be so sure about it being sprint. Small teams and quite a wide range of abilities will break it up. The 2010 race was held on probably the flatest circuit ever devised but it broke up a lot and turned out to be a terrific race. Only five riders finished within a minute of the winner.

You're absolutely right about 2010 (if I recall correctly Cavendish was a hot favourite - like 2012 Olympics). These races indeed are usually uncontrollable and I too fancy a strong rider more than a fast one.

2014 was not dissimilar. Caleb Ewan was the favourite as many thought Dennis, Renshaw, Clarke etc would be able to keep it together for sprint but it became immensely selective and Geraint Thomas (6-1) was by far the strongest.

Obviously it won't be quite so selective this year but I certainly won't be backing Adam Blythe myself.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

18.8km circuit.

2 short climbs.
At 5.3km into circuit: 0.38km @ 9.5%
At 7.7km into circuit: 1.10km @ 6.8% (average) - it's in 2 parts with ~150m flatter bit in the middle.

Then a 700m rise of 3.2% average but variable that ends with 1.5km to go. Last chance for a bit of a break for non sprinters.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

I'll be driving Chief Comm so should have a good view of the race

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

I'll be driving Chief Comm so should have a good view of the race

Cool, I’ll be a marshal on the road

 

[yaco]

I suspect Edmondson will be the chosen rider if it comes down to a large group sprint or Clarke if the race breaks up.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Re: Re:

I'll be driving Chief Comm so should have a good view of the race

Cool, I’ll be a marshal on the road

Where?

My assignment has changed - driving Race Doctor now.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Saturday morning (0745) for women, afternoon for men (1230).

 

[42x16ss]

Re: Re:

I'll be driving Chief Comm so should have a good view of the race

Cool, I’ll be a marshal on the road

Where?

My assignment has changed - driving Race Doctor now.

I won’t know until tomorrow morning but I was on the corner of Avocado Drive and KP McGrath drive for the TT

 

[42x16ss]

Re:

I suspect Edmondson will be the chosen rider if it comes down to a large group sprint or Clarke if the race breaks up.

Von Hoff was meant to be Plan A but his form is very uncertain.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

I suspect Edmondson will be the chosen rider if it comes down to a large group sprint or Clarke if the race breaks up.

Von Hoff was meant to be Plan A but his form is very uncertain.

Von Hoff is recovering from injuries - Edmondson is quicker than Von Hoff if it comes to a sprint finish.

 

[Parker]

Luke Rowe at 25/1 is a nice bet with the bookies for arguably the best one day racer in the field (admittedly I'm a bias Welshman). Shame they only let me bet 80p.

 

[42x16ss]

Luke Rowe at 25/1 is a nice bet with the bookies for arguably the best one day racer in the field (admittedly I'm a bias Welshman). Shame they only let me bet 80p.

The course is too short and flat for Rowe. If they used the women’s TT course and made it 200kms then it would be more suited.

 

[The Barb]

Luke Rowe at 25/1 is a nice bet with the bookies for arguably the best one day racer in the field (admittedly I'm a bias Welshman). Shame they only let me bet 80p.

I kinda like Rowe too. Sure, it probably won't be hard enough but that is more than reflected in the price. Jack Bauer is the one I've settled on though. Solid WT rider who is one of few who treats this race as meaningful.

 

[Parker]

Luke Rowe at 25/1 is a nice bet with the bookies for arguably the best one day racer in the field (admittedly I'm a bias Welshman). Shame they only let me bet 80p.

I kinda like Rowe too. Sure, it probably won't be hard enough but that is more than reflected in the price. Jack Bauer is the one I've settled on though. Solid WT rider who is one of few who treats this race as meaningful.

I think for the likes of Rowe and Cavendish (and Thomas before) there's a real pride in representing their small part of Team GB. You don't get it with England (at least not with cycling - watch out for Ian Bibby though). I often go to the National Sports Centre in Cardiff and there's a big mural outside the changing rooms of Thomas winning in 2014. For the general Welsh public it means more than E3 or Paris-Nice.

As for the race itself. I will be surprised if a group of more than ten come to the finish. Australia clearly have the super team, but can they guarantee to out-sprint Blythe?

 

[The Barb]

God, this course is horrible.

 

[The Barb]

Australia might sweep the dais in this womens' race. They look super strong.

 

[Scarponi]

You can tell they just got the course creator for the Triathlon or running race to just make this terrible course instead of something interesting.

 

[Captain Serious]

Are the men on today? I haven't seen any of it on channel 7. Is it on Foxtel? Any updates?

 

[Scarponi]

Re:

Are the men on today? I haven't seen any of it on channel 7. Is it on Foxtel? Any updates?

It's on the fourth channel 7 station: 7 flix

 

[Captain Serious]

Thanks very much. ***! I've had ch 7 on all arvo waiting for it.

 

[Scarponi]

About 20-30 riders left on the last lap ?

 

[Captain Serious]

Yeah, about that. 10km to go

 

[Scarponi]

Von hoff has made the front 12