Hot racing coming up in Australia

[MatParker117]

Re:

Thomas is a perennial at the TDU - Likes the racing and training available and it works for him - And he gets to watch some cricket.

Viviani and Ewan should be a fun sprint matchup as well.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Thomas is a perennial at the TDU - Likes the racing and training available and it works for him - And he gets to watch some cricket.

Viviani and Ewan should be a fun sprint matchup as well.

Viviani is very fast but a bit fragile like Ewan - I can see the honors being split - Just hope that Ewan only does the Cadel Evans Race and the TDU - Forget Bay Crits and Herald Sun Tour.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re: Re:

Thomas is a perennial at the TDU - Likes the racing and training available and it works for him - And he gets to watch some cricket.

Viviani and Ewan should be a fun sprint matchup as well.

Viviani is very fast but a bit fragile like Ewan - I can see the honors being split - Just hope that Ewan only does the Cadel Evans Race and the TDU - Forget Bay Crits and Herald Sun Tour.

WHY ????

Wouldn't it be smarter to maximise his market value with a swag of cheap early season wins ..... then surreptitiously "put him on the market" ?

The earlier OBE rids themselves of such an incompatible "list clogger" ... the better !!

 

[dirkprovin]

With both Chaves & Gerrans "on deck" and presumably granted "dual leadership" for the 3 major AUS summer races; it now renders up some interesting selection calls for the remaining slots for these races; particularly with regards to the likes of Haig, Power and maybe Howson.

Howson was granted his chance of leadership at last year's HST netting a 3rd on GC. Given his growing rep as Chaves' right-hand man, his race schedule is most likely to mirror the little guys giving him few other opportunities for himself. Will be interested to see where he opens his season, and with Kreuziger coming on board, whether OBE diversify/switch support around to a degree with Kreuziger gaining some race familiarity with Chaves and Howson with the Yates.

With Power losing the majority of his neo-pro year, its likely OBE will seek to put some race miles into his legs. Maybe, at one of these AUS races they may give him some licence to go "up the road" at some point. With Haig, it may be the case that he is given a certain degree of freedom at one of the races but the prime focus being developing his relationship/understanding with Chaves.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

I suspect Gerro will have nationals as his prime target
And SunTour climbs to be too selective for him

 

[yaco]

Re:

With both Chaves & Gerrans "on deck" and presumably granted "dual leadership" for the 3 major AUS summer races; it now renders up some interesting selection calls for the remaining slots for these races; particularly with regards to the likes of Haig, Power and maybe Howson.

Howson was granted his chance of leadership at last year's HST netting a 3rd on GC. Given his growing rep as Chaves' right-hand man, his race schedule is most likely to mirror the little guys giving him few other opportunities for himself. Will be interested to see where he opens his season, and with Kreuziger coming on board, whether OBE diversify/switch support around to a degree with Kreuziger gaining some race familiarity with Chaves and Howson with the Yates.

With Power losing the majority of his neo-pro year, its likely OBE will seek to put some race miles into his legs. Maybe, at one of these AUS races they may give him some licence to go "up the road" at some point. With Haig, it may be the case that he is given a certain degree of freedom at one of the races but the prime focus being developing his relationship/understanding with Chaves.

Haig was super impressive in year one - Lots of race days and possibly over-raced and managed to finish a grand tour and contributed as well - My guess is two of Haig, Power and Howson will ride the Sun Tour - TDU is a different kettle of fish, especially seeing no Hayman this year - We know Chavez,Ewan and Gerrans are riding - I understand Hepburn and Edmondson are racing - Could they call Albasini down again for TDU

Chavez will disappear to Colombia for rest,training and the National Championship after the Herald Sun Tour, so he won't be around for February and most of March - Matching riders is a bit of an issue at the moment, as GC targets are yet to be finalised - It's the old scenario where riders have their targets which are at odds with sponsor requirements - The only thing set in stone is Kreuzeger being a super domestique at the TDF.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re: Re:

With both Chaves & Gerrans "on deck" and presumably granted "dual leadership" for the 3 major AUS summer races; it now renders up some interesting selection calls for the remaining slots for these races; particularly with regards to the likes of Haig, Power and maybe Howson.

Howson was granted his chance of leadership at last year's HST netting a 3rd on GC. Given his growing rep as Chaves' right-hand man, his race schedule is most likely to mirror the little guys giving him few other opportunities for himself. Will be interested to see where he opens his season, and with Kreuziger coming on board, whether OBE diversify/switch support around to a degree with Kreuziger gaining some race familiarity with Chaves and Howson with the Yates.

With Power losing the majority of his neo-pro year, its likely OBE will seek to put some race miles into his legs. Maybe, at one of these AUS races they may give him some licence to go "up the road" at some point. With Haig, it may be the case that he is given a certain degree of freedom at one of the races but the prime focus being developing his relationship/understanding with Chaves.

Haig was super impressive in year one - Lots of race days and possibly over-raced and managed to finish a grand tour and contributed as well - My guess is two of Haig, Power and Howson will ride the Sun Tour - TDU is a different kettle of fish, especially seeing no Hayman this year - We know Chavez,Ewan and Gerrans are riding - I understand Hepburn and Edmondson are racing - Could they call Albasini down again for TDU

Chavez will disappear to Colombia for rest,training and the National Championship after the Herald Sun Tour, so he won't be around for February and most of March - Matching riders is a bit of an issue at the moment, as GC targets are yet to be finalised - It's the old scenario where riders have their targets which are at odds with sponsor requirements - The only thing set in stone is Kreuzeger being a super domestique at the TDF.

Re Haig's being "over-raced" in 2016. Maybe ?? Maybe not ?? I think the total days were blown out by him completing the entire Vuelta. Again, that was a call with arguments either way. Are we pushing him too hard as against the experience gained of being a part of a GC campaign and playing a role in key team strategic moves. Again, whilst surviving full distance is endurance on its own; he was NOT being called upon for day-in/day-out flogging himself to a stand-still. Also he is 23 (only a year younger than Howson & YatesX2) rather than 21 like Power so his relative physical maturity may have been taken into account. The answer, no doubt, will be seen in how he backs up in 2017.

Agree Kreuziger will go to Tour, no matter the leader & Chaves unlikely to resurface until sometime in April. Your comment re sponsors wishes could be read any number of ways. Orica HASN'T, to any public knowledge, ever made any such demands but are departing. IS the new title sponsor "locked in" (but not announced) but already making their views known OR is the team looking at the TDF as the vital shop-window to snag a new deal ?

 

[claude cat]

Profile for the Sun Tour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy-54oHXgAAwfhf.jpg

 

[Valv.Piti]

Re:

Profile for the Sun Tour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy-54oHXgAAwfhf.jpg

That looks like a very decent pre season race.

Has their been highlights of the race in the past?

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

With both Chaves & Gerrans "on deck" and presumably granted "dual leadership" for the 3 major AUS summer races; it now renders up some interesting selection calls for the remaining slots for these races; particularly with regards to the likes of Haig, Power and maybe Howson.

Howson was granted his chance of leadership at last year's HST netting a 3rd on GC. Given his growing rep as Chaves' right-hand man, his race schedule is most likely to mirror the little guys giving him few other opportunities for himself. Will be interested to see where he opens his season, and with Kreuziger coming on board, whether OBE diversify/switch support around to a degree with Kreuziger gaining some race familiarity with Chaves and Howson with the Yates.

With Power losing the majority of his neo-pro year, its likely OBE will seek to put some race miles into his legs. Maybe, at one of these AUS races they may give him some licence to go "up the road" at some point. With Haig, it may be the case that he is given a certain degree of freedom at one of the races but the prime focus being developing his relationship/understanding with Chaves.

Haig was super impressive in year one - Lots of race days and possibly over-raced and managed to finish a grand tour and contributed as well - My guess is two of Haig, Power and Howson will ride the Sun Tour - TDU is a different kettle of fish, especially seeing no Hayman this year - We know Chavez,Ewan and Gerrans are riding - I understand Hepburn and Edmondson are racing - Could they call Albasini down again for TDU

Chavez will disappear to Colombia for rest,training and the National Championship after the Herald Sun Tour, so he won't be around for February and most of March - Matching riders is a bit of an issue at the moment, as GC targets are yet to be finalised - It's the old scenario where riders have their targets which are at odds with sponsor requirements - The only thing set in stone is Kreuzeger being a super domestique at the TDF.

Re Haig's being "over-raced" in 2016. Maybe ?? Maybe not ?? I think the total days were blown out by him completing the entire Vuelta. Again, that was a call with arguments either way. Are we pushing him too hard as against the experience gained of being a part of a GC campaign and playing a role in key team strategic moves. Again, whilst surviving full distance is endurance on its own; he was NOT being called upon for day-in/day-out flogging himself to a stand-still. Also he is 23 (only a year younger than Howson & YatesX2) rather than 21 like Power so his relative physical maturity may have been taken into account. The answer, no doubt, will be seen in how he backs up in 2017.

Agree Kreuziger will go to Tour, no matter the leader & Chaves unlikely to resurface until sometime in April. Your comment re sponsors wishes could be read any number of ways. Orica HASN'T, to any public knowledge, ever made any such demands but are departing. IS the new title sponsor "locked in" (but not announced) but already making their views known OR is the team looking at the TDF as the vital shop-window to snag a new deal ?

Sponsors always have a say in team selection for big events - Next stage for OBE is a podium at the TDF which is a difficult task. Chaves is more likely than the Yates brothers to achieve this in 2017 - Or do you balance this against Chaves getting a podium with some chance of a victory at the Giro - And you balance this against the 3 GC riders having specific GC preferences which are complimentary to each other - Difficult decisions !

My understanding is contrary to common opinion, OBE don't have a new title sponsor locked in for 2018 and 2019 - We can say the title sponsor is nearly locked in.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

Profile for the Sun Tour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy-54oHXgAAwfhf.jpg

That looks like a very decent pre season race.

Has their been highlights of the race in the past?

Reckon this profile makes the race a similar level of difficulty to the defunct Tour of St Louis. It's not as hard as the TDU.

 

[MatParker117]

Ewan confirmed for the sprint matchup against Viviani.

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

Profile for the Sun Tour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy-54oHXgAAwfhf.jpg

That looks like a very decent pre season race.

Has their been highlights of the race in the past?

Reckon this profile makes the race a similar level of difficulty to the defunct Tour of St Louis. It's not as hard as the TDU.

The only thing that would make the TDU harder is the amount of WT teams in the race, if we are looking purely at the parcours then the Sun Tour is the harder race

 

[42x16ss]

Re: Re:

Profile for the Sun Tour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy-54oHXgAAwfhf.jpg

That looks like a very decent pre season race.

Has their been highlights of the race in the past?

Not too bad, the Kinglake circuit looks decent but that transfer to Wangaratta is long. They could have been a touch more creative with one or two stages though. Interested to see how Falls Creek is raced, shame the race is in January, I'd love to see them climb the other side, leaving from Dinner Plains or even Harrietville :twisted:

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Cadel’s Race gets curtain-raiser crit on Melbourne’s Albert Park F1 circuit

https://cyclingtips.com/2016/12/cadels-race-gets-curtain-raiser-crit-on-melbournes-albert-park-f1-circuit/

Just as the People’s Choice Classic criterium serves as a non-UCI-classified curtain-raiser to the Santos Tour Down Under, so Race Melbourne will be a non-UCI-classified curtain-raiser for Cadel’s Race. And just as the same teams that race the Tour Down Under are obliged to take part in the People’s Choice Classic, so the teams of Cadel’s Race will take part in Race Melbourne. Teams will, however, be able to swap out individual riders between Race Melbourne and Cadel’s Race should they wish.

WorldTour teams
AG2R La Mondiale
BMC Racing
Bora Hansgrohe
Cannondale-Drapac
Dimension Data
Quick-Step Floors
Katusha Alpecin
Team Lotto NL Jumbo
Lotto Soudal
Orica-Scott
Team Sunweb
Team Sky
Trek-Segafredo

Pro Continental teams
Aqua Blue Sport
Gazprom-Rusvelo
Team Roompot – Nederlandse Loterij
United Healthcare

National teams
Jayco Australian National Team

 

[MatParker117]

Sagan favourite?

 

[yaco]

So one of the new WT races gets 13 WT teams - My understanding is the UCI mandated there must be 10 Wt teams - Reckon 13 WT will be at the higher end of the scale for new WT races.

 

[Squire]

Re:

So one of the new WT races gets 13 WT teams - My understanding is the UCI mandated there must be 10 Wt teams - Reckon 13 WT will be at the higher end of the scale for new WT races.

Has it been clarified what will happen if only nine WT teams want to take part in one of these races? How do they decide which team they'll force to participate?

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Re:

Sagan favourite?

Too flat I would think.
One for pure sprinters.

Edit: The lake crit that is

Edit2: The TDU are promoting that Sagan will only do the TDU in Oz

 

[swuzzlebubble]

Super crit men & women start lists
http://vic.cycling.org.au/Portals/17/Road/supercrit/2016_ShimanoSuperCrit_loe.pdf

 

[Alexandre B.]

AG2R-La Mondiale for the Tour Down Under (January 15-22): Jan Bakelants, Julien Bérard, François Bidard, Ben Gastauer, Matteo Montaguti, Domenico Pozzovivo and Clément Chevrier.

And for Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (January 29): Jan Bakelants, Julien Bérard, François Bidard, Ben Gastauer, Matteo Montaguti, Domenico Pozzovivo and Clément Chevrier.

 

[StryderHells]

Re:

Super crit men & women start lists
http://vic.cycling.org.au/Portals/17/Road/supercrit/2016_ShimanoSuperCrit_loe.pdf

Absolutely cracking start list! Should be a good edition and weather playing ball a big crowd

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

Profile for the Sun Tour

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy-54oHXgAAwfhf.jpg

That looks like a very decent pre season race.

Has their been highlights of the race in the past?

Not too bad, the Kinglake circuit looks decent but that transfer to Wangaratta is long. They could have been a touch more creative with one or two stages though. Interested to see how Falls Creek is raced, shame the race is in January, I'd love to see them climb the other side, leaving from Dinner Plains or even Harrietville :twisted:

Instead of Dinner Plain or Harrietville just start it in Mt Beauty and cross Tawonga then head up Hotham and then get spanked by BOF, now that would be one proper challenging route

The transfer to Wang is a bit rough considering the Prolouge is usually held in the late afternoon/early evening being daylight saving time and being held basically in the centre of the Melbourne, they were never going to drop the Prolouge seeing as some of the funding of this event comes from the Major Events budget and the head office of The Herald Scum in on Southbank.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

So one of the new WT races gets 13 WT teams - My understanding is the UCI mandated there must be 10 Wt teams - Reckon 13 WT will be at the higher end of the scale for new WT races.

Has it been clarified what will happen if only nine WT teams want to take part in one of these races? How do they decide which team they'll force to participate?

I know that ORICA Scott rode 33 of the 37 ( now WT races ) in 2016 - Imagine this would be similar for all WT teams so you should easily get the 10 WT teams for races. based on their 2016 calendars.

 

[yaco]

That is a super start list for the super crits - Not many of the Aussie WT riders missing - Just as strong on the women's side - Organisers tried to convince Annemiek Van Vleuten to ride but she has returned to Europe, after spending 2 months riding all over Australia - She will be back for the TDU in the New Year.