Hot racing coming up in Australia

[Jancouver]

Re: Re:

Again, you are calling me names. Nobody asked you on an opinion of me so do not refer to me by using names ... unless you want to be banned from this forum. Am I calling you or anyone else any names? No I don't, so keep your opinion of other remembers to yourself and comment only on topics related to discussion.

Mods, please explain to this user the basic forum rules. Thanks!

Well since you've asked I'll give you an answer. You've slandered Skidmark in the CQ thread.

Yeah right, what names did I call him specifically?

Get some sleep and leave me alone, nobody cares what your opinion of me is so keep it to yourself, would you? I'm not sharing my opinion of you with anyone around here, or do I? No, I don't. Because that is beneath me and nobody cares about you.

 

[The Hegelian]

I personally like Jancouver's input. It's like autumn leaves falling, or Christmas commercials in December - predictable things in an unpredictable world.

One just knows that when the TDU rolls around, Jancouver will be here dissing the race. It's part of the fabric of the TDU now! Wilunga, Gerrans and Jancouver's critiques; these things all endure.....

 

[Alexandre B.]

Six stages, all australian stage winners?

 

[stefank]

Re:

Six stages, all australian stage winners?

It's part of a plot to raise Jancouver's blood pressure.

 

[claude cat]

Re: Re:

Always thought this was Porte's race to lose and the Paracombe climb would change the dimension of the race - A few of us have been posting about Michael Storer - Will end up at Orica.

I wouldn't say its set in stone that he ends up at Orica but also it wouldn't surprise me.

The fact that he's coming through the AIS program means that's he's much more likely to end up there.
If you're outside the AIS system then you tread the Porte/Canty etc path ..

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

Always thought this was Porte's race to lose and the Paracombe climb would change the dimension of the race - A few of us have been posting about Michael Storer - Will end up at Orica.

I wouldn't say its set in stone that he ends up at Orica but also it wouldn't surprise me.

The fact that he's coming through the AIS program means that's he's much more likely to end up there.
If you're outside the AIS system then you tread the Porte/Canty etc path ..

Ah yes that's a very good point, ending up at Orica wouldn't be the worst place for him anyway considering the track record they have with young riders.

 

[Alexandre B.]

jens will be ecstatic with Richie's performance.

 

[Kwibus]

Huge gap for such a climb.

Sometimes I wonder if this early peak by Richie does him any good later in the season.
Well this year he certainly has the TDU in the bag.

Also please ignore Jancouver.

 

[pastronef]

just saw it now, yepppaaaaaaaaa!!

great Richie!

even nicer after seeing Jancouver posts. yessss

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Dominant display of power by the Tasman. A shame Sergio's chances were ruined by a mechanical.
Porte cannot possibly lose this race now?! Can he?

 

[StryderHells]

Re:

Dominant display of power by the Tasman. A shame Sergio's chances were ruined by a mechanical.
Porte cannot possibly lose this race now?! Can he?

Considering how long Henao spent chasing back on then moving through the peloton it was a big performance, not sure if he would of matched Porte but he would of given it a shake. He could be in with a shot winning on Willunga.

 

[rei_da_montanha]

Porte just too strong.

Good Stuff by Ruben Guerreiro.

 

[movingtarget]

Huge gap for such a climb.

Sometimes I wonder if this early peak by Richie does him any good later in the season.
Well this year he certainly has the TDU in the bag.

Also please ignore Jancouver.

Yes it's hard to see him losing now unless there are the nightmare mechanicals and whatever. I hope not. I don't think this race would effect his season too much. The stages are short, the climbs are not that hard, it's probably more about the heat than anything else and with the gap now, he doesn't need to make another attack at all. Of course on the Willunga stage he will be active as he always does well there.

 

[claude cat]

Forecast is 37 with patchy rain becoming heavy and thunderstorms for tomorrow.
One hopes they are finished before it gets too bad,

 

[Valv.Piti]

Massive, massive performance by Richie! Didn't know Henao got a mechanical, I reckon he or Porte will win or Willinga.

Also look at those neo-pros, Ruben and Enric. Not too shabby at all.

 

[barmaher]

1 PORTE, Richie (BMC) 3:46:06
2 IZAGIRRE INSAUSTI, Gorka (MOV) + 16
3 CHAVES RUBIO, Jhoan Esteban (ORS)
4 DENNIS, Rohan (BMC) + 19
5 HAAS, Nathan (DDD)
6 ULISSI, Diego (UAD)
7 GUERREIRO, Rúben (TFS)
8 STORER, Michael (UNI)
9 WOODS, Michael (CDT)
10 SANCHEZ GIL, Luis León (AST)
11 EARLE, Nathan (UNI)
12 HENAO MONTOYA, Sergio Luis (SKY)
13 HERRADA LOPEZ, Jesus (MOV)
14 MCCARTHY, Jay (BOH)
15 POZZOVIVO, Domenico (ALM)
16 VALLS FERRI, Rafael (LTS)
17 MAS, Enric (QST)
18 KELDERMAN, Wilco (SUN)
19 GESINK, Robert (TLJ)
20 RESTREPO VALENCIA, Jhonatan (KAT)

Some nice breakout performances by those in bold

 

[May0maniac]

1 PORTE, Richie (BMC) 3:46:06
2 IZAGIRRE INSAUSTI, Gorka (MOV) + 16
3 CHAVES RUBIO, Jhoan Esteban (ORS)
4 DENNIS, Rohan (BMC) + 19
5 HAAS, Nathan (DDD)
6 ULISSI, Diego (UAD)
7 GUERREIRO, Rúben (TFS)
8 STORER, Michael (UNI)
9 WOODS, Michael (CDT)
10 SANCHEZ GIL, Luis León (AST)
11 EARLE, Nathan (UNI)
12 HENAO MONTOYA, Sergio Luis (SKY)
13 HERRADA LOPEZ, Jesus (MOV)
14 MCCARTHY, Jay (BOH)
15 POZZOVIVO, Domenico (ALM)
16 VALLS FERRI, Rafael (LTS)
17 MAS, Enric (QST)
18 KELDERMAN, Wilco (SUN)
19 GESINK, Robert (TLJ)
20 RESTREPO VALENCIA, Jhonatan (KAT)

Some nice breakout performances by those in bold

I disagree when it comes to restrepo, the guy already got a few top 10 results in WT races and won the group sprint behind the leaders in the Lake Tahoe stage of the ToC, so a top 20 in this race isn't exactly a breakout performance for him.

 

[Ferminal]

Re:

jens will be ecstatic with Richie's performance.

Who wouldn't? Pretty incredible form at this time of the year and just went for it, racing at its most pure.

 

[barmaher]

I disagree when it comes to restrepo, the guy already got a few top 10 results in WT races and won the group sprint behind the leaders in the Lake Tahoe stage of the ToC, so a top 20 in this race isn't exactly a breakout performance for him.

I didn't think he would be able to climb well enough to finish with the top guys like Ulissi, Henao and Dennis. Agree that breakout is the wrong term.

 

[Netserk]

It will be interesting to see if he is motivated enough to climb Willunga as fast as the last two years, or if he even manages to break his own record

 

[Arredondo]

Mutant sprint by Porte. Again. One of the cycling moments of the year for sure.

Surprised to see Chaves doing so well already. I thought he would go slowly at the beginning of the season, like the past years. Guess i was wrong. Which is only good though!

 

[Der Effe]

Re: Re:

Over the years, I said it million times, but year after year, you can tell it's a mandatory race as the riders are not even interested being in the break ... it a shame they are required to participate as there are tons of smaller teams that would love to race here

Edit: The organizers just realized the race sucks ... because it's too hot and the race has been shortened ... good move by the organizers

I actually think the teams and riders enjoy racing down here but from reading the posts you've made about the TDU over the years this is a useless argument to have with you

It was a good move shortening today's stage, 41c with the winds is damn tough conditions.

Don't worry about Jancouver. January is the only month that he posts now, just to remind us all how much he dislikes the TDU. He's been doing it for a few years now.

Somebody has to do it. The only reason this travesty of a race is around is to give the Aussies some free wins

Right because ALL the riders (besides Aussies) would rather race in Europe right now in the winter.

Just to be clear, I'm all for racing in other continents than Europe. Also, I have nothing against a World-Tour race in Australia, Australian race organizers, riders or people in general. It's just absurd that there's a mandatory WT-race in freakin' January. Races in this part of the season should be preparation races and even for those it is quite early. But it is a total freakshow that winning the Tour Down Under statistically has the same value (100 WT-points) as winning Paris-Nice.

Anyway, good win by Porte. Was to be expected, but 16 seconds is quite a gap though.

 

[greenedge]

Re: Re:

Always thought this was Porte's race to lose and the Paracombe climb would change the dimension of the race - A few of us have been posting about Michael Storer - Will end up at Orica.

I wouldn't say its set in stone that he ends up at Orica but also it wouldn't surprise me.

Posted before last years L'Avenir that Orica have interest in Hindley and Storer - They are particularly interested in Storer's TT skills which are a point of difference to their current GC guys - Have a question ? Is Rob Power injured again ? Not racing in Australia and certain he's not in Europe.

Like not racing currently in Australia or not even for the Herald Sun Tour?
I can understand why he's not racing at the TDU, it's a very strong WT field and there's better riders for more specific roles within Orica.

 

[greenedge]

Huge gap for such a climb.

Sometimes I wonder if this early peak by Richie does him any good later in the season.
Well this year he certainly has the TDU in the bag.

Also please ignore Jancouver.

You're right about his lack of performance at any race post TDF, but hopefully he can start to piece it together. Also in 2015 he rode well at the TDU then won at P-N and Catalunya, so it can't hurt him that much (hopefully).
Additionally after he wins this year, he may not have as much of a focus on it in later years, allowing Dennis the chance to win.

@Arredondo, hopefully this means Chaves vs Froome at the Sun Tour is great!

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

Always thought this was Porte's race to lose and the Paracombe climb would change the dimension of the race - A few of us have been posting about Michael Storer - Will end up at Orica.

I wouldn't say its set in stone that he ends up at Orica but also it wouldn't surprise me.

Posted before last years L'Avenir that Orica have interest in Hindley and Storer - They are particularly interested in Storer's TT skills which are a point of difference to their current GC guys - Have a question ? Is Rob Power injured again ? Not racing in Australia and certain he's not in Europe.

Like not racing currently in Australia or not even for the Herald Sun Tour?
I can understand why he's not racing at the TDU, it's a very strong WT field and there's better riders for more specific roles within Orica.

Power was down to race at the Nationals but was pulled out, not sure why he was pulled and haven't seen/heard any news as to why, don't know if he was meant to race at the TDU and as far as the Cuddles race or Sun Tour the squads are yet to be announced so maybe he will turn up in one of those races.