TDU race thread

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Kelderman is fast on the line too you know. But indeed not Sagan like.

If he enters the top 10 it's most likely in prologues, short tt's, and hilly stages.
I really don't expect him to climb with the best or post a sprint win. Very unlikely.

Although with Kittel, nobody expected him to post that many sprint wins as he was a tt-er at the u23 mainly.

yeah, i know he surprisignly won a few smaller bunch finishes in espoirs which would suggest he has a decent kick. But still I think his best results this year will probably come via prolouges. Would be nice if he showed something in hills/climbs this season tho.

 

[daveinzambia]

I am voting Arnaud Courteille for fan favourite, newish pro, smaller team, unknown to most i think, unlikely to be setting the world alight in the race. Surely that fits criteria

Bole not nearly obscure enough and Kelderman will already have a few people interested in what he is doing, so neither should be applicable.

 

[Tuarts]

Not to mention that Grega Bole is apparently an "obscure" pro?

LMAO if they do choose Bole. Well "they" anyway is a bit bland now, 3 years and its already an idea being taken over by the media. So much for PACC...

Don't think there'll be any t-shirts for this one...

 

[swuzzlebubble]

I'd suggest Marcello Pavarin, Ricardo Garcia or Arnaud Courteille from the startlist.

@au_sesquip "@cyclingtips @inrng best ones i've heard: Marcello Pavarin (VAC), Ricardo Garcia (EE) or Arnaud Courteille (FDJ)"
about an hour ago

 

[auscyclefan94]

Just thought I'd let you know that the great song () "Feel the Rush" is back for the 2012 Tour Down Under!

 

[Ferminal]

Bobridge is out (from GE twitter).

I think Hepburn or Durbridge would be the main candidates, they were probably going into a week of track ahead of the nationals but it wouldn't be much of a setback, both rode the TdU in the same circumstances last year. The rest of the team already have longer term goals. If not one of the track boys, maybe Wilson or Sulzberger.

 

[42x16ss]

Bobridge is out (from GE twitter).

I think Hepburn or Durbridge would be the main candidates, they were probably going into a week of track ahead of the nationals but it wouldn't be much of a setback, both rode the TdU in the same circumstances last year. The rest of the team already have longer term goals. If not one of the track boys, maybe Wilson or Sulzberger.

Probably Durbridge, his form is excellent ATM. Would love to see one of Greenedge's international riders get a go though, just to get the "fans" familiar.

 

[daveinzambia]

Bobridge is out (from GE twitter).

I think Hepburn or Durbridge would be the main candidates, they were probably going into a week of track ahead of the nationals but it wouldn't be much of a setback, both rode the TdU in the same circumstances last year. The rest of the team already have longer term goals. If not one of the track boys, maybe Wilson or Sulzberger.

Allan Davis? man is an institution in the race, Hepburn or Durbridge do not ride for GreenEdge yet do they?

 

[PCutter]

Bobridge is out (from GE twitter).

I think Hepburn or Durbridge would be the main candidates, they were probably going into a week of track ahead of the nationals but it wouldn't be much of a setback, both rode the TdU in the same circumstances last year. The rest of the team already have longer term goals. If not one of the track boys, maybe Wilson or Sulzberger.

I think I saw someone from GE quoted that Cooke was on stand-by if Jacky Bobby didn't get up.

 

[craig1985]

Just thought I'd let you know that the great song () "Feel the Rush" is back for the 2012 Tour Down Under!

That song sucks so hard.

Allan Davis? man is an institution in the race, Hepburn or Durbridge do not ride for GreenEdge yet do they?

Nah, Davis is doing Mallorca instead.

 

[42x16ss]

Allan Davis? man is an institution in the race, Hepburn or Durbridge do not ride for GreenEdge yet do they?

Doubt it would be Davis, they will want to swap like for like. Besides, with Davis in it could be a case of too many chiefs, as Davis is a real GC contender here if he is fit and motivated.

 

[theyoungest]

I meant more like Sagan getting away with Evans and Valverde (and Nibali?) at the TDU. Kelderman to do something on Wilunga maybe.

I think he'll mainly have to work, with Lulu Sanchez there for GC and Renshaw/Matthews for the sprints he'll be pretty low in the pecking order I guess.

Probably Durbridge, his form is excellent ATM. Would love to see one of Greenedge's international riders get a go though, just to get the "fans" familiar.

They'd have to be flown in though, a bit late.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Port Adelaide Cycling Club has chosen Wouter Mol as the rider they are supporting.

 

[Wilba60]

Not sure how good The Age's sources are but they are saying it will be Baden Cooke, he also seems to be riding pretty well.

 

[maltiv]

Port Adelaide Cycling Club has chosen Wouter Mol as the rider they are supporting.

Does he really need more "gifts" after Sky gifted him the easiest won stage-race ever in the 2010 Tour of Qatar?

 

[taiwan]

Anyone have Van Avermaet for the win?

 

[will10]

Does he really need more "gifts" after Sky gifted him the easiest won stage-race ever in the 2010 Tour of Qatar?

Errr, no. Sky got their asses kicked in the echelons.

 

[maltiv]

Errr, no. Sky got their asses kicked in the echelons.

Ye but they had the leaders jersey and didn't chase at all, causing Mol's breakaway win. Boonen was ****ed off.

 

[will10]

Ye but they had the leaders jersey and didn't chase at all, causing Mol's breakaway win. Boonen was ****ed off.

No-one else chased either. Sometimes you have to take responsibility if you want to win.

 

[mc_mountain]

Interested to see how Adam Blythe goes, and what support, if any, he is likely to receive. Perhaps an indicator of how he will do this year and whether or not the team rate him...

 

[Arnout]

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.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Interested to see how Adam Blythe goes, and what support, if any, he is likely to receive. Perhaps an indicator of how he will do this year and whether or not the team rate him...

According to the BMC website, they will ride for Blythe in the criterium but their main goal in the actual race is to have a high general classification result.

He might get some support from Van Avermaet, Ballan & Quinziato in stage 1,3 & 4. Is Blythe quick? Who is he comparable to?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

No-one else chased either. Sometimes you have to take responsibility if you want to win.

The problem is, Sky were expecting other people to defend their lead. You have the lead, there are some etiquette things. You don't just say "after you, you do the work, we'll just sit in your wheel". Sky's attitudes irked a lot of the péloton in January and February 2010, which is why they got stitched up on the whole etiquette thing in Oman.

That, and the crash of, and injury to, their road captain Kurt-Asle Arvesen sure didn't help.

Either way, a clear message was sent, Sky got that message, and the self-serving asshattery was notably toned down, and they became more accepted and integrated in the péloton.

 

[craig1985]

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.

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

 

[PCutter]

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.

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.