Tour Down Under Stage 2: Lobethal - Stirling 148km

[Zam_Olyas]

11:30.......peter walsh saying 1:30 ????

 

[PCutter]

Plenty of descending on these circuits fto help Clarke try and avoid the bunch.

Nice, jags a win and a big fat contract next year with a bag full of UCI points

 

[auscyclefan94]

They will need a strong chase to bring him back.

 

[Ferminal]

What is the gap? 10mins, 40km?

Still catchable (if there is will in the peloton).

 

[PCutter]

Actually, just realised he started the day 1:50 down, but still, I hope he holds on (as unlikely as that is).

 

[auscyclefan94]

Going to have to be a vicious chase. Lotto wont chase with Greipel in trouble.

 

[Ferminal]

Actually, just realised he started the day 1:50 down, but still, I hope he holds on (as unlikely as that is).

Ah, that sucks. I was hoping he stayed out and had a GC lead by around a minute.

 

[royalpig180]

I reckon he will be caught, but it's going to be very, very close. If he does win the stage, it will certainly be by less than the 1:50 he's down on GC. I'll bet he's regretting that last minute attack he tried yesterday right about now...

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Rabo, Radioshack and Sky are working on the front. They can still just about catch him, but they will have to chase very hard indeed.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Big chase now.

 

[Fetisoff]

Wonder if Kohler's kicking himself right about now

 

[auscyclefan94]

Wonder if Kohler's kicking himself right about now

Yes, but who would of really expected this?

 

[badboyberty]

GreenEdge better contribute to the chase. This is definitely a stage that should suit their leaders.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Wonder if Kohler's kicking himself right about now

Ha!

(Although, the peloton might not have let things go this far if he was out there too).

 

[PCutter]

Whilst racing isn't done in a lab (except in the clinic forum), he's posted some pretty impressive numbers which is what brought him to the attention of Saxo (via Porte) and Leopard (his team last year) in the first place, so whilst he may not be one of Australia's TT brigade, he can go deep riding solo.

But being realistic....

We can always hope.

 

[auscyclefan94]

GreenEdge better contribute to the chase. This is definitely a stage that should suit their leaders.

Why aren't you at the race??

 

[Fetisoff]

Yes, but who would of really expected this?

Not saying he didn't do a smart thing at the time....

Just doesn't seem so smart now, but of course you're right, he couldn't have foreseen this happening.

Still think Clarke will be caught, two of them would have had a better chance, doesn't seem like too many teams are willing to chase.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Im calling it now, Will Clarke has won the Tour Down Under.

 

[Fetisoff]

Im calling it now, Will Clarke has won the Tour Down Under.

How's his climbing. How much time would he realistically lost on the Willunga?

 

[PCutter]

Im calling it now, Will Clarke has won the Tour Down Under.

I think his 1:50 lost yesterday may stop that.

But would love for him to - and show Leopard-Shack what they lost

 

[auscyclefan94]

How's his climbing. How much time would he realistically lost on the Willunga?

came 4th at the nationals though I don't know that much about him. He does have good form.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Clarke extends to 10:50!!!!

Wow, what a ride!

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

It's now being reported that he's pulled out the lead by another 20 seconds. What The F?

 

[DenisMenchov]

Clarke won the whole race

 

[HiCadence]

Maybe hes toying with the peloton??