Hot racing coming up in Australia

[tobydawq]

TDU was definitely on GCN+ . I am unsure about the National Champioships.

I just checked Discovery+ who only delete content after a year. And indeed, on January 8th last year, the Australian Nats was broadcast.

 

[claude cat]

The inevitable Plapp-Harper 1-2 for Jayco.
O’Brien comes in 6 minutes later to make it a Jayco only podium.

That wasn't riveting viewing, unlike the women's race.

 

[yaco]

I loved the race because it's good to see a team dominate such an important event.

 

[tobydawq]

I loved the race because it's good to see a team dominate such an important event.

wat

 

[Rob5091]

In the future I suggest the aussie Nat Championships be renamed the Jayco Training Camp.

 

[yaco]

wat

This is how Jayco should have ridden the last few editions of the race - Today they split the race after 30kms and then a two rider solo with 115kms to go. Anyway, next year will be at a different venue and I suspect Jayco will lcontrol for a sprint for Ewan - Then people will still complain.

 

[Berniece]

The inevitable Plapp-Harper 1-2 for Jayco.
O’Brien comes in 6 minutes later to make it a Jayco only podium.

That wasn't riveting viewing, unlike the women's race.

So Plapp took the double?

 

[42x16ss]

So Plapp took the double?

Yes. With Jayco adding so many Aus riders they had little opposition. Clarke, Storer and Scotson don't look in form yet. Hindley and Haig didn't bother even though they're home, while guys like Vine and O'Connor have stayed in Europe

 

[tobydawq]

This is how Jayco should have ridden the last few editions of the race - Today they split the race after 30kms and then a two rider solo with 115kms to go. Anyway, next year will be at a different venue and I suspect Jayco will lcontrol for a sprint for Ewan - Then people will still complain.

I'm not complaining about how Jayco played it, but it certainly was extremely dull.

 

[DNP-Old]

Really wonder what Plapp will show us this year. Put him in the Australian summers and he's challenging for best rider on the planet. He just came off from destroying the Mount Buffalo KoM by nearly three minutes. Put him elsewhere on the map and it's been mediocrity galore thus far, with only sporadic glimpses of greatness.

 

[Skijumper Roglic fan]

I just read the results…

Obviously they rode to the line together, without sprinting, correct?

Then I am surprised Plapp took the win. He won the NC RR already twice, before, whereas for Chris Harper, it would have been the first NC RR title. And, Plapp recently won the NC ITT.

So I am surprised Jayco today „gave“ the title to Plapp… Maybe Plapp did much more of the work in the final >100 kms, when they were in front, together? So maybe Jayco wanted to reward Plapp for that? Just my speculations…

Maybe one of you guys saw how it happened?…

 

[Ilmaestro99]

How does Plap always win . Does nobody else in Australia try???

 

[Salvarani]

I just read the results…

Obviously they rode to the line together, without sprinting, correct?

Then I am surprised Plapp took the win. He won the NC RR already twice, before, whereas for Chris Harper, it would have been the first NC RR title. And, Plapp recently won the NC ITT.

So I am surprised Jayco today „gave“ the title to Plapp… Maybe Plapp did much more of the work in the final >100 kms, when they were in front, together? So maybe Jayco wanted to reward Plapp for that? Just my speculations…

Maybe one of you guys saw how it happened?…

Plapp had the opportunity to hold both titles and win the RR for a third time in a row.

Jayco probably wants one of their stars to have it from a commercial standpoint as well.

 

[claude cat]

Harper readily admitted that he had to ask Plapp to slow down near the end so he could hold his wheel.

 

[42x16ss]

Harper readily admitted that he had to ask Plapp to slow down near the end so he could hold his wheel.

Harper was showing signs of fatigue on the last lap up the main climb

 

[42x16ss]

How does Plap always win . Does nobody else in Australia try???

Plapp is a good bike racer, and the very best guys don't need to be flying yet

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

I just read the results…

Obviously they rode to the line together, without sprinting, correct?

Then I am surprised Plapp took the win. He won the NC RR already twice, before, whereas for Chris Harper, it would have been the first NC RR title. And, Plapp recently won the NC ITT.

But did Chris Harper not win the Tour de France twice?

 

[Tim Cahill]

Should've given it Harper so that the Aussie RR champions jersey is more visible in the tour and throughout the year.

 

[Kazistuta]

If Plapp hadn't been clearly the strongest in the race, I'm sure he/they would have given Harper the jersey. At least they honoured the race by rewarding the strongest rider the win.

 

[RedheadDane]

But did Chris Harper not win the Tour de France twice?

Not-Harper won the Tour de France twice.

 

[will-10]

Yes. With Jayco adding so many Aus riders they had little opposition. Clarke, Storer and Scotson don't look in form yet. Hindley and Haig didn't bother even though they're home, while guys like Vine and O'Connor have stayed in Europe

Hindley "not bothering" when he's in Perth is one of the funnier takes so far in 2024

 

[Squire]

Happy I just watched the replay and didn't get up in the middle of the night for this.

But before skipping through 60km of Duo Normand, it was actually a very good race. So I'm glad I started watching from the beginning.

Expected Harper to get the win, but I guess it makes sense if team management want one of their big name riders to have the jersey, and the triple probably played a part too.

 

[armchairclimber]

I think some people are underestimating Plapp. I think he'll have a much better year than last.

 

[Cookster15]

I think some people are underestimating Plapp. I think he'll have a much better year than last.

I hope you are right but he has to deliver in 2024. Three national champs in succession begins to look embarrassing. But he has whetted our appetites for his stage racing abilities, so lets hope for more in 2024 to confirm his promise.

 

[tobydawq]

Not-Harper won the Tour de France twice.

And Harper did not win the Tour de France twice.

For full disclosure.