TDU race thread

[Ferminal]

Durbridge it is... be scared.

 

[craig1985]

For some reason I can't quite warm to Luke Durbridge, nothing against him, he has a lot of talent, maybe because of the saturation of track guys being good in TT's that this country produces that I don't warm to them. I'm more interested in following how Nathan Haas goes this season for Garmin and Steele von Hoff in the Garmin development team, along with Matt Lloyd's comeback with Lampre than how Durbridge goes this season.

 

[auscyclefan94]

In unrelated news, Lance Armstrong's gay lover Mike Rann, who was a major supporter of the TDU, has now decided to retire.

 

[stefank]

In unrelated news, Lance Armstrong's gay lover Mike Rann, who was a major supporter of the TDU, has now decided to retire.

Come on ACF. I'm sure the gay community doesn't like being associated with those sorts of people.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Come on ACF. I'm sure the gay community doesn't like being associated with those sorts of people.

Well he is a Labor Party member so in general the gay community would prefer him over a right wing politician and he does actually support gay marriage.

 

[durianrider]

That was fantastic. Gutted there was no glimpse of durianrider in there.

#If you watched channel 9 on Tuesday night I was with the Garmin Train in the Barossa.

# Ive been out riding with a few teams this week and Haussler is creeping, Rider looks fresh, Griepel looked heavy and Henderson was flying up the Gorge today doing 10 mins of 40 on and 20 sec off.

Thats my report from the back wheel of the pro bunch.

 

[barn yard]

My favorite part is where the guy at 2:08 puts on a little sprint for the camera - good to see the pro's do that as well.

lol

at one point there were more adult groupies on the back than there were members of the actual team on the front...

 

[Tuarts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABAl8k6ogyg&feature=youtu.be

Nice (inoffensive is the word that best decribes it I think) video about Euskaltel preparing for TDU in Australia. Stalking of Sicard included.

Good video. Interesting they've brought a bunch of Orbea riders with them.

 

[barn yard]

Good video. Interesting they've brought a bunch of Orbea riders with them.

local groupies

 

[daveinzambia]

#If you watched channel 9 on Tuesday night I was with the Garmin Train in the Barossa.

# Ive been out riding with a few teams this week and Haussler is creeping, Rider looks fresh, Griepel looked heavy and Henderson was flying up the Gorge today doing 10 mins of 40 on and 20 sec off.

Thats my report from the back wheel of the pro bunch.

see that's how to let us know you have been training with pros, providing interesting info, without making it sound like you are boasting and without pushing your values on us.

speaking for myself only, if all your posts where more like that i would be more receptive to your messages.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Eddy Merckx has arrived in Melbourne.

I have been looking for some coverage of the TDU in the CH( news bulletins but there is nothing which is actually quite annoying.

 

[Jana_B]

Apologies if this has already been posted:

Cycling champ Stuart O'Grady accused of assault

I don't think there's much in it, considering: "It is understood the driver...made the statement to police at the weekend, after he had spoken to a TV current affairs program"

Seems a bit suspect, doesn't it, going to police after Today Tonight/ACA? [nightly "current affair" shows in Aus]

 

[Tuarts]

**** sake, anything to do with TT is bull**** and no doubt its run by the same dickheads who sympathise with Shane Warne and his asinine comments.

 

[FreeWheelin]

How come TDU only gets 1 wildcard when others seem to get about 3?

 

[will10]

How come TDU only gets 1 wildcard when others seem to get about 3?

Cos no-one wants to ride it.

 

[woodie]

Cos no-one wants to ride it.

The Aussie teams do so it's weird they only get one. Does anyone know whether other 1 week WT races get wildcards?

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

Just read the whole thread... talk about being bored...

From waaaaaaay back.

Actually, it's a fact that the best time trial specialists come from non-traditional cycling countries like Switzerland, Germany, Eastern-Europe, Great-Britain, Australia, etc

Switzerland an non-traditional cycling country?

Generally on the TdU. It's kind of wasted. And shouldn't be in the WT. For 1 reason: It's too early. Put it back one month. January is just too early, the serious European season starts in March. It will always just be a preparation race, get km in your legs for most 'stars' like this. Exception the Australians of course. Yes, one month later it wouldn't be a big goal for the 'stars' either, but, with Het Nieuwsblad 1 week away and more importantly MSR 1 month away, more riders would show up in better form. The TdU would lose it's status as first race where PT teams start, which right now is part of it's appeal, but would gain a lot from better competition. Right now a lot of it is just "names", it's too far from the other WT races, to isolated, and thus loses in quality. So just push it back 4 weeks. Or take away the WT status... I'd prefer it one month back, Australia deserves a WT race.
The parcours: Good that they finally changed something, arrival on top of Willunga hill. Problem now of course is that the winner there very likely will be the winner of the GC too, but ok. Just keep changing it around from year to year. One year finish on top, one year with the thirty km, one year finish on top and another tougher finish (if there are any, not a specialist on South Australian geography...), one year maybe add a prologue, etc. just mix it up a bit, it had been basically the same for too long.

 

[Tuarts]

With the Aussie teams only being Continental they aren't part of the blood passport program iirc and what is a requirement for WT events.

 

[The Hitch]

With the Aussie teams only being Continental they aren't part of the blood passport program iirc and what is a requirement for WT events.

A shame that the local teams don't get to ride their big event. Its what I see as one of the big pros of having top races away from western europe.

They would put up great performances because for them it would be the highlight of their season.

Would also like to see Craig1985 in the TDU

 

[swuzzlebubble]

How come TDU only gets 1 wildcard when others seem to get about 3?

I think Turtor said a while back it was due to logistical limits or budget?
But they found room for one more when BMC came with Cadel couple of years ago?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

A shame that the local teams don't get to ride their big event. Its what I see as one of the big pros of having top races away from western europe.

They would put up great performances because for them it would be the highlight of their season.

There is the UniSA team, which I understand is some kind of local selection.

I think that WT status is pretty important for the race: It guarantees that big names will be there, even if they are only putting some kms in their legs. It gets the race coverage around the world, and also gives it more profile amongst local enthusiasts. Which are the things the state government are paying for.

Without WT status it's basically the Herald Sun Tour except in the off season and with a worse parcours. Speaking of which, the local teams already have the Herald Sun Tour as their big stage race of the season.

 

[ProfTournesol]

A shame that the local teams don't get to ride their big event. Its what I see as one of the big pros of having top races away from western europe.

They would put up great performances because for them it would be the highlight of their season.

Would also like to see Craig1985 in the TDU

It's also a shame there's only crikit on TV at the moment

 

[Tuarts]

A shame that the local teams don't get to ride their big event. Its what I see as one of the big pros of having top races away from western europe.

They would put up great performances because for them it would be the highlight of their season.

Would also like to see Craig1985 in the TDU

Lol Weekend Warriors racing? (kidding Craig, you probably to more k's than I :respect

It is a shame, even if its just Genesys + Drapac it would be fun to see them compete but I would imagine AIS team would have to be involved too. Again I think the official line is that because they are only Conti and don't have to be part of the blood passport/whereabouts program they can't be in a WT event. This is from memory of last year and asking the same question.

 

[will10]

The Aussie teams do so it's weird they only get one. Does anyone know whether other 1 week WT races get wildcards?

Do you not watch cycling outside of January or July?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The rules are:

WT:
World Tour teams participate, plus wildcards. Wildcards must be Professional Continental teams. No Continental teams may be present, although the host nation may elect to provide a National Representation, which can include riders at this level, if they so wish. Usually the only WT races that do are the Tour Down Under and the Tour de Pologne.