Haussler

[blaxland]

Depends on his form in la vuelta. It is a big goal for him
Very possible. Haussler is a very strong sprinter and can climb better than any of the other sprinters.

What I worry about the Australian team is that their is too many cheifs and not enough Indians. Mcewen, Renshaw, Sutton, Haussler, O'grady, goss and cadel are all possible leaders.

My team would be:
Evans
Rogers
haussler
O'Grady
Hayman
Hansen
Lancaster
Sulzberger
Clarke

+1 Agree Auscyclefan94 but i would rather have more riders to choose from than not enough?The team riders above would be a perfect chance come september 2010 geelong.....

 

[abbaskip]

Depends on his form in la vuelta. It is a big goal for him
Very possible. Haussler is a very strong sprinter and can climb better than any of the other sprinters.

What I worry about the Australian team is that their is too many cheifs and not enough Indians. Mcewen, Renshaw, Sutton, Haussler, O'grady, goss and cadel are all possible leaders.

My team would be:
Evans
Rogers
haussler
O'Grady
Hayman
Hansen
Lancaster
Sulzberger
Clarke

Im confused as to why people keep calling Sutton a chief...I'm also confused as to why everyone seems to want to leave out Gerrans on a hilly course? If it's too hilly for Renshaw to finish in the bunch, than it is hilly enough for Gerrans to be effective. I remember Gerrans in the mountaints for AG2R, before he was half the cyclist he is now, riding at the front pacing the yellow jersey for an age!

Hayman isn't much chop on the hills either. And I'm not sure Sulzberger and Clarke are our strongest options as domestiques...Also wonder what role is planned there for Lancaster?

Ferminal, I can see what you're saying though. But Renshaw has never finished leading bunch of MSR because he always works in it. Goss raced as the protected sprinter in it for CSC.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Im confused as to why people keep calling Sutton a chief...I'm also confused as to why everyone seems to want to leave out Gerrans on a hilly course? If it's too hilly for Renshaw to finish in the bunch, than it is hilly enough for Gerrans to be effective. I remember Gerrans in the mountaints for AG2R, before he was half the cyclist he is now, riding at the front pacing the yellow jersey for an age!

Hayman isn't much chop on the hills either. And I'm not sure Sulzberger and Clarke are our strongest options as domestiques...Also wonder what role is planned there for Lancaster?

Ferminal, I can see what you're saying though. But Renshaw has never finished leading bunch of MSR because he always works in it. Goss raced as the protected sprinter in it for CSC.

Gerrans won't win in the sprint and he is not punchy enough to get away on the climbs. Hayman is a good work horse. He can drive on the front. Did you see him in RVV this year as he was driving on the bergs for flecha. Steepest grade on the climb in the circuit is 13% which is near the top of the climb. ON Sulzberger and clarke, watch last years worlds in mendrisio as they were awesome and cadel actually commented on how good those guys are. Gerrans does not handle sole leadership well.

 

[Notso Swift]

How many of you guys have actually seen the course? I have driven it on the way back from Torquay, but not had a ride.

I am pretty sure it will be a group of about 20 (Made for Haussler, Boonan, Thor) OR a Gilbert style last lap attack.

It is harder than a lot are giving it credit for but it is no way near hard enough for the climbers. The second/short climb is Steep, but it is still short. Think of it like Gent Wevalgam, but more sting in the tail.

In form Davis would be a good one as well. O'Grady knows his time is over, but he is the work horse/road captain of the team. Cadel will be there, he almost has to be for promotional reasons. McEwan will be there on the off chance it is a sprint, (but it will not be unless the racing is VERY negative)
Guys like Gerrans will be sacrifices, the course is not for them

 

[Notso Swift]

Oh, the other thing, a lot of pretty small resi streets, lots of road furniture

 

[auscyclefan94]

Oh, the other thing, a lot of this is pretty small resi streets, lots of road furniture

There is a bridge in there which is quite skinny coming off the descent of the first climb which will be dangerous.

Gilbert will be my tip.

 

[Notso Swift]

Yep and they will be coming down that hill pretty fast into it.
A full Peloton would see carnage, but the first climb will have broken them up,

Edit, Too bad they aren't going up the old Cement works road from the Hamilton highway, that would have really spiced it up

 

[LukeSchmid]

There is a bridge in there which is quite skinny coming off the descent of the first climb which will be dangerous.

Gilbert will be my tip.

There is a video of the course at http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/01/2010-world-championship-course-geelong-australia/ with Koen De Kort riding the course. It and comments on the video indicate they will be not be racing accross that bridge. Seems it will be replaced or a temporary bridge built.

I agree that it seems more of Gilbert type course than a pure sprinters.

 

[craig1985]

When (before) Haussler turned pro he decided he would ride as a German. He had the choice then to ride as either an Australian or German, because he held citizenship for both nations.

Haussler has never competed for Germany in a world championships as a senior. Later on Haussler decided that he wanted to ride as an Australian and for Australia in the World Championships. However, because he initially registered as a German, this became a complex and difficult process.

After a bit of back and forth seeing how the rules could allow for a change, it was realised that the only way for Haussler to change his cycling nationality would be to renounce his German citizenship.

So Haussler was riding as a German who held dual German-Australian citizenship.

Now Haussler will be riding as an Australian, holding only Australian citizenship.

To extend on that, Haussler rode for Germany as a junior. He also chose to ride for Germany because it helped him turn pro for Gerolsteiner as they wanted mainly German riders, whereas if he remained as an Australian, he may not have got that opportunity, although I'm sure if Gerolsteiner didn't sign him, somebody else would have.

As for McEwen, unless he is not fit, I'm willing to wager he will be selected for the World's. His form doesn't warrant or merit a call up, but I think he will still be selected since it is in Australia and as reward for what he has achieved in his career.

I think blackcat called this ages ago.

 

[Notso Swift]

I agree, McEwan will be there, but it is to cover a situation that arises for a type of race. I feel it is unlikely that type of race will happen

 

[abbaskip]

Gerrans won't win in the sprint and he is not punchy enough to get away on the climbs. Hayman is a good work horse. He can drive on the front. Did you see him in RVV this year as he was driving on the bergs for flecha. Steepest grade on the climb in the circuit is 13% which is near the top of the climb. ON Sulzberger and clarke, watch last years worlds in mendrisio as they were awesome and cadel actually commented on how good those guys are. Gerrans does not handle sole leadership well.

But Gerrans will work if need be. He isn't a prima donna, I'm sure he'd do what is best for the team, and he isn't a bad work horse for a rolling course.

 

[abbaskip]

How many of you guys have actually seen the course? I have driven it on the way back from Torquay, but not had a ride.

I am pretty sure it will be a group of about 20 (Made for Haussler, Boonan, Thor) OR a Gilbert style last lap attack.

It is harder than a lot are giving it credit for but it is no way near hard enough for the climbers. The second/short climb is Steep, but it is still short. Think of it like Gent Wevalgam, but more sting in the tail.

In form Davis would be a good one as well. O'Grady knows his time is over, but he is the work horse/road captain of the team. Cadel will be there, he almost has to be for promotional reasons. McEwan will be there on the off chance it is a sprint, (but it will not be unless the racing is VERY negative)
Guys like Gerrans will be sacrifices, the course is not for them

If we choose one sprinter, and it's McEwen, it's quite a joke, and typical Australian cycling selectors, choosing names ahead of talent. I'd back Reshaw, Goss, and Davis ahead of McEwen (unless Robbies legs become younger again). To be honest, I think Haussler is probably faster than all of them.

 

[craig1985]

TBH, I wouldn't say Davis is worthy of a spot either. What has he done this season?

 

[The Falcon]

I really think that in form, Haussler is Australias best shot if the race plays out like i think it will. I also think it will come down to a 20 man selection, the course is definately tough enough to ensure its doesnt come down to a bunch sprint. Cant wait for October, flights are booked