Is the TDU a ridiculous race?

[auscyclefan94]

After looking at all of this, it is a real shame that these cyclists get so little for winning races compared to other sports.

 

[roundabout]

Actually scrap what I wrote as it wasn't quite accurate:

Last but not the least, Tour of Beijing offered $400,000 in prize money, including $42,500 for the general classification winner and $17,000 for each stage winner.

"The local authorities expected an even higher prize money but our scale might be the fourth biggest in the world after the three grands tours," Rumpf said. "Moreover, prize money is not something as meaningful in cycling as in some other sports. In fact we preferred to use our budget mainly to provide the riders the best safety and comfort conditions."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/no-clenbuterol-sandwiches-for-riders-in-china

Whew. It's still over 30k € for the win.

It does put the UCI globalization effort into perspective but also makes me wonder for how long this level of prize money will be kept up.

 

[Ferminal]

Yes but big riders won't turn up that have goals later into the season. They don't want a very hot race with a tough parcours. Teams would send lesser riders of those teams to the TDU. I also disagree with your point about the form. In general, riders turn up to races with decent form but due to goals for the season and desire to do well, some won't try as hard as others which I think applies to the TDU. Also, the severe heat that TDU provides at the start of Jan is quite tough on riders who are down on form.

I'm not sure what you're saying.

"Big" riders (Armstrong, Evans, Cav) are somewhat needed for publicity but it's not normal that they show up to compete at the pointy end of the race. Changing the format of the race a little will not make them any more/less likely to show up in form.

I don't think anyone is suggesting 1500m passes (in Australia? ) and 200km stages, they could make a few small changes without overall making the race significantly harder.

 

[rgmerk]

I'm not sure what you're saying.

"Big" riders (Armstrong, Evans, Cav) are somewhat needed for publicity but it's not normal that they show up to compete at the pointy end of the race. Changing the format of the race a little will not make them any more/less likely to show up in form.

I don't think anyone is suggesting 1500m passes (in Australia? ) and 200km stages, they could make a few small changes without overall making the race significantly harder.

Ferminal, it's kinda offtopic, but just because Adelaide doesn't have any nearby mountains doesn't mean that Australia has no tough climbs. Check out my "climber's tour of Victoria" on the race design thread as it develops for some examples.

 

[Ferminal]

Ferminal, it's kinda offtopic, but just because Adelaide doesn't have any nearby mountains doesn't mean that Australia has no tough climbs. Check out my "climber's tour of Victoria" on the race design thread as it develops for some examples.

Yeh, I am aware of that, which is why I was careful in my wording! There can't be too many 1500m passes

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Why would the UCI do that ?

Women don´t get a base wages cause they don´t deserve it, UCI reducing pay to rides so the TDF is the highest prize money.

They are a funny place the UCI


In what way ?

because aso would be mad. that some obscure race in uci calendar pays more then them.

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

After looking at all of this, it is a real shame that these cyclists get so little for winning races compared to other sports.

it is ridiculous especially from aso. they make so much money on tour so they can keep afloat stuff like dakar rally

 

[woodenswan]

Do bears shit in woods?

wow
fav post

i think it's good to have all kinds of races. the TDU also contributes to the diversity of this sport, and for me that's the best thing about cycling. besides, the name of the race is just..magnificent. so pizza it is.

 

[The Hitch]

After looking at all of this, it is a real shame that these cyclists get so little for winning races compared to other sports.

Fully agree.

 

[Moondance]

Meh, it's a cute enough race. South Australia is a nice place and deserves a Tour. As long as it doesn't pretend to be anything other than a solid season starter I have absolutely no problems with it, enjoy it moderately, and certainly wouldn't call it ridiculous.

Are there better races out there which aren't WorldTour? Absolutely. Although not every good race needs to be part of Verbruggen's pipe dream.

The TDU has a lovely little niche in the cycling calender, and I would be sad to see it leave.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

 

[craig1985]

At least the TDU organizer's are changing things up by making them finish on Willunga. There's also a 7km ride up to Mt Lofty...

 

[BroDeal]

At least the TDU organizer's are changing things up by making them finish on Willunga. There's also a 7km ride up to Mt Lofty...

How lofty is Mt. Lofty? This isn't one of those "the australian who went up a hill and came down a mountain" type of "mountains," is it?

 

[PCutter]

Yeh, I am aware of that, which is why I was careful in my wording! There can't be too many 1500m passes

Here's two in one day. This is the Aussie La Marmotte.

http://www.bv.com.au/general/great-rides/93484/

 

[craig1985]

How lofty is Mt. Lofty? This isn't one of those "the australian who went up a hill and came down a mountain" type of "mountains," is it?

http://www.mtloftysummit.com/about.htm

And here is the ride profile:

http://www.cycle2max.com/bike-hill-climb/Greenhill-Road-(Mt.-Lofty).aspx?id=447

 

[craig1985]

Here's two in one day. This is the Aussie La Marmotte.

http://www.bv.com.au/general/great-rides/93484/

Wouldn't it be cool if the Sun Tour could do that?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Wouldn't it be cool if the Sun Tour could do that?

Falls Creeks is in the middle of nowhere. Sun Tour doesn't drift too far away from Melbourne.

 

[NickBVK]

The more cycling the better, especially as it's so accessible for us Aussies who can't get to Europe every year!

I think it's a perfect season opener, the top teams are there, the weathers good, the riders are relaxed and forthcoming with fans and the whole area is a massive cycling hub for a week.

 

[biker jk]

it's a pathetic race. it's very year the same source and look at riders who have won it or done top ten in it. quite pathetic for a wt race

Yes, that nobody Contador won stage 5 in 2005.

 

[c&cfan]

Yes, that nobody Contador won stage 5 in 2005.

the race is great to start the season. problem is, WT? hell no. even the volta a portugal deserves it more.

 

[veganrob]

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

Only if it has vegemite on it

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

it serves it's purpose. warm race. Has no real entertainment value.

 

[BroDeal]

What do the organizers of the TDU have against time trials? A short ITT, and a stage or two with a few hills that could force a selection and the race might be interesting.

 

[Martin318is]

Falls Creeks is in the middle of nowhere. Sun Tour doesn't drift too far away from Melbourne.

recently maybe. previously it has had finishes on Mt Buller (and I think on Mt Buffalo too...)

 

[auscyclefan94]

What do the organizers of the TDU have against time trials? A short ITT, and a stage or two with a few hills that could force a selection and the race might be interesting.

Tutur has said that they don't want to force teams to ship all the tt bikes for an early season race on the other side of the world. Seems reasonable to me although I think they could just use road bikes with clip on aero bars.