Lately I've been reading messages, especially on this place, saying the race is really harder than just a sprinters place. Especially the locals (Australians) claim that.
But other sources, riders and some managers, claim the race is suited for a bunch sprint of 50/60 men like Milano San Remo.
Now, I looked it up, the Melbourne to Geelong part isn't so important to me, it's just a run up and in that part of the race the peloton usually is pretty quiet anyway.
But then, the local circuit
Now, I know these climbs aren't easy and have parts of 13/14% in it.
But:
1) They aren't long enough
2) They aren't close enough to the finish
3) There is a serious downhill and flat part after them
So my personal opinion is, that it's defnately not as hard as last years race, and probably comparable to Salzburg, where 4 riders just stayed away due to taking a corner good, and behind that a big bunch sprint (McEwen was in the top 10...)
I think, bunch sprint of 30 to 80 man, depending on how hard the riders make it. Chances of a small group or soloist getting to the line is really small
What are your opinions, and if you think the race is harder, then please explain why, and not just "there's a part of 13%". Because even the Amstel Gold Race with +40 climbs (30 official, +10 'non-official' steep climbs) sometimes finishes in 30-man sprint...
But other sources, riders and some managers, claim the race is suited for a bunch sprint of 50/60 men like Milano San Remo.
Now, I looked it up, the Melbourne to Geelong part isn't so important to me, it's just a run up and in that part of the race the peloton usually is pretty quiet anyway.
But then, the local circuit

Now, I know these climbs aren't easy and have parts of 13/14% in it.
But:
1) They aren't long enough
2) They aren't close enough to the finish
3) There is a serious downhill and flat part after them
So my personal opinion is, that it's defnately not as hard as last years race, and probably comparable to Salzburg, where 4 riders just stayed away due to taking a corner good, and behind that a big bunch sprint (McEwen was in the top 10...)
I think, bunch sprint of 30 to 80 man, depending on how hard the riders make it. Chances of a small group or soloist getting to the line is really small
What are your opinions, and if you think the race is harder, then please explain why, and not just "there's a part of 13%". Because even the Amstel Gold Race with +40 climbs (30 official, +10 'non-official' steep climbs) sometimes finishes in 30-man sprint...