Tour Down Under (World Tour) Jan 21-26

[theyoungest]

True, but Kittel, Greipel, Ferrari, Rojas and Goss (if in form) are a level above the likes of Rick Zabel, Allan Davis and Leigh Howard The overall speed is likely to be higher than he's used to as well.

Haig should be fine. Riders like Dennis and Matthews have finished top 6-7 at an even younger age coming straight from U23's.

I guess you can discount Kittel and Greipel on that first stage. Then there's Rojas, but he never wins, Goss, but what has he done lately... so the sprint will be Matthews vs. Ewan. There you have it

 

[search]

I guess you can discount Kittel and Greipel on that first stage. Then there's Rojas, but he never wins, Goss, but what has he done lately... so the sprint will be Matthews vs. Ewan. There you have it

I doubt Ewan is a better climber than Greipel. Let alone Goss, nowaday

 

[fauniera]

I doubt Ewan is a better climber than Greipel. Let alone Goss, nowaday

Ewan was the best on Via Salviati. Much better climber than Greipel IMO.

 

[theyoungest]

I doubt Ewan is a better climber than Greipel. Let alone Goss, nowaday

Matthews was immediately a better climber than Greipel (in the TDU, mind you... nowhere else). I think Ewan could be similar.

 

[Pentacycle]

I guess you can discount Kittel and Greipel on that first stage. Then there's Rojas, but he never wins, Goss, but what has he done lately... so the sprint will be Matthews vs. Ewan. There you have it

We can't know for sure what Goss has been doing lately, but his form is certainly better than it was one year ago.

 

[auscyclefan94]

40oC temperatures forecasted during the whole week of the Tour Down Under

 

[42x16ss]

I guess you can discount Kittel and Greipel on that first stage. Then there's Rojas, but he never wins, Goss, but what has he done lately... so the sprint will be Matthews vs. Ewan. There you have it

I'm not convinced Greipel can't get there. He's won the GC of this race twice before (albeit on slightly easier parcours) and was leading when he crashed out the year Davis won. Greipel's got a decent team to look after him too.

 

[theyoungest]

We can't know for sure what Goss has been doing lately, but his form is certainly better than it was one year ago.

Hm, depends, last year he got 2nd a few times in the TDU which isn't exactly bad.

I'm not convinced Greipel can't get there. He's won the GC of this race twice before (albeit on slightly easier parcours) and was leading when he crashed out the year Davis won. Greipel's got a decent team to look after him too.

The first stage is (apparently) the same as where Freire won a few years ago, but with 10 k less flat after the climb. He was dropped then, and now he has even less chance to return.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

so lets see, the various sprinter types lined up:

Ewan, Kittel, Greipel

Goss, Matthews, Gavazzi

Brown, Zabel, Viviani

Haller, Ferrari, Rojas, Renshaw

The Poppels, Cantwell

and perhaps a few others.

(note: no real logic to the order)

Lotto and Orica will have to muscle the business end to move some of these guys out of the way imo.

 

[manafana]

also reckon goss goes a lot better in 2014, 2013 was nightmare for him but can only go up from their.

 

[barmaher]

I have added five new squads to the opening post (Belkin, Katusha, Astana, FDJ and Cannondale). It will be interesting to see Garmin's team when it is announced.

 

[greenedge]

so lets see, the various sprinter types lined up:

Ewan, Kittel, Greipel

Goss, Matthews, Gavazzi

Brown, Zabel, Viviani

Haller, Ferrari, Rojas, Renshaw

To put Viviani in the same category as Brown

 

[42x16ss]

also reckon goss goes a lot better in 2014, 2013 was nightmare for him but can only go up from their.

He'll need to, otherwise he may end up with a stint at Pro Conti level.

 

[42x16ss]

so lets see, the various sprinter types lined up:

Ewan, Kittel, Greipel

Goss, Matthews, Gavazzi

Brown, Zabel, Viviani

Haller, Ferrari, Rojas, Renshaw

The Poppels, Cantwell

and perhaps a few others.

(note: no real logic to the order)

Lotto and Orica will have to muscle the business end to move some of these guys out of the way imo.

Kittel and Greipel obviously stand out on that list and are a cut above the rest. Even at lesser form they are the men to beat.

Goss, Cantwell, Renshaw, Sutton, Von Hoff, Ewan, Brown, and Matthews (to a lesser extent) will all be motivated to do well in the bunch sprints, Goss especially, as he may be riding for his job this year. Cantwell and Von Hoff are my picks to do well and possibly punch above their weight. Ewan is a mystery IMHO, will have to see how he handles the hills at this level.

Does anyone have any idea how well the European sprinters are preparing for this? Rojas has been ok here before and Viviani and Ferrari should go well.

 

[theyoungest]

Kittel and Greipel obviously stand out on that list and are a cut above the rest. Even at lesser form they are the men to beat.

Last year Kittel was there as well... did you notice him? Greipel is the only big sprinter who is really fired up for this race.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

To put Viviani in the same category as Brown

well, I did throw this in at the end:

(note: no real logic to the order)

 

[42x16ss]

Last year Kittel was there as well... did you notice him? Greipel is the only big sprinter who is really fired up for this race.

Good point. Will have to see if he's more confident/motivated after last season or just along for the photo ops. Unless De Kort starts mixing it up there isn't really anyone else for the sprints.

 

[Butterhead]

It all comes down to form in this first race of the year, and Ewan said he got his eyes on this one, I think he will do great. Wouldnt surprise me he takes the National to.

 

[Lance Armstrong]

I have added five new squads to the opening post (Belkin, Katusha, Astana, FDJ and Cannondale). It will be interesting to see Garmin's team when it is announced.

I spotted a tiny mistake.

Neo-pro Michael Kolar (SLO) is actually from Slovakia (SVK), not Slovenia.

I found it funny, because 4 years ago at TDU Peter Sagan was also listed as Slovenian.

 

[Butterhead]

I spotted a tiny mistake.

Neo-pro Michael Kolar (SLO) is actually from Slovakia (SVK), not Slovenia.

I found it funny, because 4 years ago at TDU Peter Sagan was also listed as Slovenian.

Even Europeans still messes it up

 

[barmaher]

Thanks, Lance.

I will amend. I get irritated by stuff like that myself.

By the way, there doesn't seem to be any highlights packages on Eurosport's schedule for the 21st to 26th. Anybody have any idea who is offering coverage in Ireland / UK?

 

[forkboy84]

Thanks, Lance.

I will amend. I get irritated by stuff like that myself.

By the way, there doesn't seem to be any highlights packages on Eurosport's schedule for the 21st to 26th. Anybody have any idea who is offering coverage in Ireland / UK?

It was on Sky Sports last year & I believe that's the case again this year.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Tour Down Under weather forecasts for stages 1-4

Tuesday 14th 41oC (106oF)
Wednesday 15th 43oC (109oF)
Thursday 16th 43oC (109oF)
Friday 17th 40oC (104oF)

HOT!

 

[Afrank]

Gonna be a lot of see through jerseys in Australia. At least Froomes not racing.

 

[asdfgh101]

Were there 7 riders per team last year (thought it was 8 for all .WT races except for trial in Poland)?