Hot racing coming up in Australia

[Samu Cuenca]

There were 12 seconds between Vine and Yates in the prologue, and 11 in the end: there was no other stage when there was time between them. It was very much decisive.

But that doesn't necessarily mean that Yates would have won the race by one second without the prologue. Perhaps the last stage proved to be a bit too easy, but I still think the route offered opportunities for riders to make up their deficit after the prologue.

 

[Lequack]

Interview with Vine

https://twitter.com/x/status/1617072031618433027

View: https://twitter.com/wcsbike/status/1617072031618433027?s=20&t=DLwqERxMNwEQeITixEUoOw

 

[Izzyeviel]

Is it too early to start a 'Relegation watch 2023-25' thread?

 

[tobydawq]

There were 12 seconds between Vine and Yates in the prologue, and 11 in the end: there was no other stage when there was time between them. It was very much decisive.

Yeah, it was too bad it was so rainy. What were the chances of that, really?

 

[Red Rick]

Sad Vader noises. This was such a nice chance for a good result for him. He was one of the teams best on the previous winter tests on ~3 minute effort

 

[42x16ss]

Stuart O´Grady, the mastermind.

Believe people were pretty disappointed with him a couple of months ago, if I am not mistaken.

A few people (me included) thought the parcours would be too difficult for January but pre season form can be a good leveller

 

[Red Rick]

A few people (me included) thought the parcours would be too difficult for January but pre season form can be a good leveller

Too difficult for January?

You don't compete on bad form here, no matter the parcours. And being 15kg overweight in January is so 1999 or whenever Ulrich was around.

 

[Roku]

But that doesn't necessarily mean that Yates would have won the race by one second without the prologue. Perhaps the last stage proved to be a bit too easy, but I still think the route offered opportunities for riders to make up their deficit after the prologue.

Exactly.

Vine and S.Yates were quite levelled throughout the race on the climbs and noticeably ahead of the rest of the field. Vine did a better prologue so he won fair and square.

If anything, the prologue helped setting up the race and forcing certain riders to ride more aggresive. That's what time-trials are for anyways.

 

[42x16ss]

Too difficult for January?

You don't compete on bad form here, no matter the parcours. And being 15kg overweight in January is so 1999 or whenever Ulrich was around.

I get your point, but also need to remember a lot of the riders main objectives start no earlier than April and can't get here with form that's too hot

 

[Red Rick]

I get your point, but also need to remember a lot of the riders main objectives start no earlier than April and can't get here with form that's too hot

I think a harder parcours wouldn't change who's on form, it would just make gaps to those who are in clear winter/training form much bigger. And maybe if you're not that fit the race can actually become too hard, but then you can just go into the Froometto

 

[RedheadDane]

Less that 35 Ks to go.
Wells and Jonker have a little less than a minute to the peloton.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

The first ascent of Challambra Crescent is coming up.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Doebel-Hickok with the first proper attack being followed by Spratt, but it's closed down again.

 

[RedheadDane]

Spratt needs to make sure she doesn't spend too much energy before the finale.
Brown needs to make sure she's up there for the finale.

Yes, I'm purely thinking about my potential point tally for the Prediction Game.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Spratt needs to make sure she doesn't spend too much energy before the finale.

I think that goes for everyone who wants a good result.

Brown is on the back foot here.

 

[RedheadDane]

I think that goes for everyone who wants a good result.

Yes, but other people aren't my picks for the Prediction Game.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

It looked like the trio had a good gap, but FDJ brought them back. 15 km left.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

It looks like Brown is now working for Adgeest, so that is not great for quite a few players in the prediction game.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Spratt and Adegeest clear at the front, while Brown is getting dropped behind.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

5 km left. 10 seconds for the leading duo.

 

[RedheadDane]

Up to over 20 seconds with 2 Ks to go.
Chase group about to me caught.

 

[RedheadDane]

Adegeest takes it.

Do those of us who had Brown at least get a few points for getting the team right?

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Adegeest played the game well there, but Spratt is probably not too pleased.

I considered picking Adegeest for my CQ team, but in the end she was too expensive. I knew she had the potential to get some good results, but I wasn't sure they would come in WWT races.
But if I had made a team of only redheaded riders, she would definitely have been in there

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Do those of us who had Brown at least get a few points for getting the team right?

No, I will award myself points though, because I tried to write Adegeest, but simply got it way wrong.

 

[RedheadDane]

No, I will award myself points though, because I tried to write Adegeest, but simply got it way wrong.

You know, with your spelling, I'd almost believe it.
Here, have an apple!