'THE' Aussie Nine

[Archibald]

considering the hot debate over whether Evans or Gerrans should be noted as the best Aussie road racer, and this announcement (which seems a tad odd in itself),

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cycling-australia-to-reveal-tour-de-france-team-of-the-century

Name the 9 members you think will get the spots from the 50 that have ridden the TdF...

Riders will be selected for designated roles in the team which consist of:

-Two riders for the general classification
-Two key domestiques to support the general classification riders
-One sprinter
-Two leadout men for the sprinter
-One all rounder
-One team captain

obviously, Evans, Anderson, Gerrans, McEwen will feature
I'd take a punt that O'Grady and Cooke will be in there too
I'd be disappointed if Renshaw didn't get a spot considering all the lead out work done for Cav wins

really have no idea about these guys of the distant past; Kirkham and Munro, Sir Hubert Opperman, Russell Mockridge, John Beasley or Don Allan...

but the rest would be pretty open - maybe Mick Rogers? Adam Hansen?

Aussie "Team of the Century"
-Two riders for the general classification - Evans, Anderson
-Two key domestiques to support the general classification riders - Rogers, Hansen
-One sprinter - McEwen
-Two leadout men for the sprinter - Cooke, Renshaw
-One all rounder - Gerrans
-One team captain - O'Grady

 

[nhowson]

O'Grady isn't allowed, technically.

As a result I would have Cooke as captain and Matthew Hayman as a lead out man. Other than that, it's all good.

 

[Dundee]

My Nine

General classification - Evans, Anderson
Domestiques - Hansen, McGory
Sprinter - McEwen
Leadout men - McGee, Renshaw
All rounder - Gerrans
Team captain - Rogers

 

[HSNHSN]

Neil Stephens springs to mind as a very good domestique, so no matter what, I think he should deserve one of the dom spots.

 

[Echoes]

That have raced what ????

 

[BigMac]

That have raced what ????

10char

 

[Kwibus]

That have raced what ????

Oh god here we go again...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Nine Adam Hansens, that's what this team needs.

[nobody mentioned Richie yet?]

I'd also include Matt Lloyd. He won the King of the Mountains almost unopposed in the best GT in recent memory, and more importantly (and most importantly), he isn't Mick Rogers. Not being Mick Rogers is one of the attributes I most highly value in a rider.

 

[greenedge]

But Rogers is a very successful rider as we have seen in countless years, with his WC ITT titles, smaller stage races and even this year all his stage wins at GT's were great.

I agree with @Dundee you obviously need McGee in the squad.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

But Rogers is a very successful rider as we have seen in countless years, with his WC ITT titles, smaller stage races and even this year all his stage wins at GT's were great.

I agree with @Dundee you obviously need McGee in the squad.

Mick Rogers is the low-budget version of Andreas Klöden.

I repeat: not being Mick Rogers is one of the attributes I most highly value in a rider.

 

[Netserk]

What's wrong with Klöden!?

 

[MellowJohnny]

This is a fun concept to do, maybe roll it out to other nations later on

Anyone for Allan Peiper???

 

[MellowJohnny]

I'm going to pick a slightly controversial team,

General classification - Evans, Anderson
Domestiques - Hansen, Stephens
Sprinter - McEwen
Leadout men - Matthews, Renshaw
All rounder - Peiper
Team captain - Rogers

Would have liked to have put in O'Grady, Gates and Sutherland also, purposely left out Gerrans and someone like Baden Cooke would be unlucky to have missed out on this.

Let the debate continue.

 

[Nick C.]

GC- Cadel Evans, Phil Anderson
Domestiques- Adam Hansen, Matt Hayman
Sprinter- Robbie McEwen
Leadout- Mark Renshaw, Baden Cooke
All-Rounder - Gerrans
Captain - Sir Hubert Opperman (I think there needs to be some nod to the pioneers)

 

[Archibald]

What's wrong with Klöden!?

don't think he's saying anything's wrong with Klöden, only with Mick Rogers, who's he says is not as good

I'm going to pick a slightly controversial team,

General classification - Evans, Anderson
Domestiques - Hansen, Stephens
Sprinter - McEwen
Leadout men - Matthews, Renshaw
All rounder - Peiper
Team captain - Rogers

Would have liked to have put in O'Grady, Gates and Sutherland also, purposely left out Gerrans and someone like Baden Cooke would be unlucky to have missed out on this.

Let the debate continue.

be real controversial - Matty White - ooh, shady past with USPS (okay, so he rode TdF with a different team)