Is the TDU a ridiculous race?

[BroDeal]

Even ACF94 seems to think so.

 

[Ferminal]

Don't you mean the SAPCSC?

 

[fujitourer]

In its current form, yes. It is a tour of Adelaide and the surrounding hills only. It would be a lot better if some different regions were covered. A week long tour which covered parts of the south eastern states, something like a "Sydney to Hobart" bike race, would be great. It gives scope for some flat or undulating stages, some days in the snowy mountains through NSW/ACT/VIC, and how about a final day ITT up Mount Wellington in Hobart (http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Mt-Wellington&qryMountainID=9717#profile)?

 

[ElChingon]

Its is the modern version of the old opening race of the season in Febuary in Mallorca (where you can race any of the days or stages if you want to call them that). Racers show up mainly to show off the new kits and equipment and rub elbows with the new team formations but never any of the top racers show up or if they do they're only there to satisfy sponsors and get their appearance fee's. Any racer marking it as a season goal is either on a Conti team or on an Aussie team. Any racer using it as a bargaining chip for next year's contract will probably be laughed at (or should).

The real opening race is still Milan-San Remo and any debate on that is a wasted you have nothing better to do right now debate.

 

[swuzzlebubble]

I vote for "it is what it is so get over it".

 

[orangerider]

It is a good race and has built up participant strength in the past few years only. Lesser guys like Graeme Brown have little chance of winning like they did in the past.

 

[barn yard]

the only reason this race is protour is because it is cheap and easy to deal with for the teams.

no transfers, no TT bikes, the organisers provide all the infrastructure, you just rock up to the hotel with some bikes and its all there for you. they will even provide mechanics if you dont want to pay to fly your own ones over. the race starts every day in the same location (front of the hotel basically)... it is very convenient for everyone including media.

a genuine tour of the country will cost too much and be too much effort at that time of year... no more protour status.

everyone knows it is barely a 'race' but it is a nice way to start the season, ie start the season with a nice little holiday...

 

[ramjambunath]

Water prevents dehydration?

 

[biker jk]

It is what it is. Any harder and you soft Europeans would struggle.

 

[gustienordic]

I think its more a result of when it happens. If it were in May, people would obviously be in much better shape & form than in January. Its a nice race to introduce the riders and teams I think.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Even ACF94 seems to think so.

Err, I have always maintained it could be better but in saying that, no I do not think it is a ridiculous race. It is the 4th best cycling nation's bike race. Don't make stuff up please.

 

[Martin318is]

I'm happy to go on paper saying its a bit lame.

Its a bit of fun in excellent surrounds for the pros to keep the legs in tune before the start of the season and it provides entertainment and publicity for the local cycling population. But really, its not all that much more important than the Herald-Sun Tour and the Sun Tour generally has a better route.

At least it isn't being as blatantly stupid as to declare itself one of the top 3 most important races or something.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

TDU has its place, but is not rediculous. Not every race can equal a GT or monument.

 

[bicing]

It used to be good, but it's ridiculous now. WHy? Lance Armstrong stopped participating!

 

[scullster46]

since pizza has been proven to be a vegetable, that is the only logical choice

 

[Havetts]

Do bears shit in woods?

 

[gustienordic]

TDU has its place, but is not rediculous. Not every race can equal a GT or monument.

Agreed, early season races help you get in form. Its pretty easy to get sick of only doing intervals.

 

[royalpig180]

I too agree that it is a reasonable race that fits in to its place on the calendar. It's a fun way to kick of the year and see riders with their new teams, new kits, etc, largely because the atmosphere (at least from our point of view) is relatively laid back.

That said, its a race that could improve (read: add a couple more stages that we won't know will end in a sprint) a bit, but I think it is heading in the right direction with its "MTF" this year...

 

[El Imbatido]

Don't you mean the SAPCSC?

I assume this means the:

South Australian Pro Cycling Sprinters Challenge

But to answer the OP question....much like ACF i think the race could be better but it is not a ridiculous race....it is the opening WT race of the season and most of the teams dont want a crazy hard race

 

[Hugo Koblet]

It might not be the best race but I don't complain. I appreciate any cycling - the more the merrier

 

[Tuarts]

I vote for "it is what it is so get over it".

No no, they've only spent 3-4 years complaining about it, it's still in vogue.

 

[BroDeal]

No no, they've only spent 3-4 years complaining about it, it's still in vogue.

We will continue to complain until you guys finally put on a decent race. We're waiting.

 

[craig1985]

Its is the modern version of the old opening race of the season in Febuary in Mallorca (where you can race any of the days or stages if you want to call them that). Racers show up mainly to show off the new kits and equipment and rub elbows with the new team formations but never any of the top racers show up or if they do they're only there to satisfy sponsors and get their appearance fee's. Any racer marking it as a season goal is either on a Conti team or on an Aussie team. Any racer using it as a bargaining chip for next year's contract will probably be laughed at (or should).

The real opening race is still Milan-San Remo and any debate on that is a wasted you have nothing better to do right now debate.

For mine it's Het Volk, and yes, I'm rather bored right

 

[craig1985]

We will continue to complain until you guys finally put on a decent race. We're waiting.

Coming from an American I find that a bit rich

 

[spindoctor]

nothing wrong with TDU - its racing in good weather - and the same applies to the Tour of Oman - stunning racing and topography