Well since nobody has stepped up to create one and racing starts in a bit over 24 hrs I might as well have an attempt at my first ever race preview. Please be gentle
So pretty much the unwanted step child of the WT as far as the fans go we now have the tour of Beijing in it's 2nd year and personally I think they have done a much better job of making in interesting.
Out is the pancake flat stages with the opening ITT that determined the podium from start to finish.
While no real serious climbs there is enough variety to make for some interesting racing. With the top tier teams pretty much hanging up the cleats for the season it comes down to those at the bottom end of the UCI rankings to aim for a big result and ensure their place as pro-tour next year.
Unfortunately it appears that Argos will miss out on riding due to the political climate in china, a huge blow for them in what could have been a deciding factor in the final pro tour spot.
So what do we have in store.
Stage 1 | Tian An Men Square to Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium 117km
Well it starts off looking very much like last year pancake flat stage to get the legs moving and a sure day for the sprinters
Stage 2 | Bird’s Nest to Men Tou Gou 134km
The first of the hills and while I see this all coming back together potential for a breakaway to catch the peloton napping. Main hill is only 10 km @ 5% so I don't see it making a selection that early. Another sprint finish.
Stage 3 | Men Tou Gou to Badaling Great Wall 162.5km
Probably the stage that could produce the most interesting racing, reminiscent of a Veulta stage from this year. With a much smaller Y axis. 10 km at 6.4% about half way to sap some strength then finishing in a uncategorised 20 km uphill with a 1km uphill sprint at 6% to the line. If it is raced hard possibility for this to be a race winning stage.
Stage 4 | Yan Qing to Chang Ping 165.5km
Another day for a sprint finish. A few bumps that will be hardly noticed then a flat race to the line.
Stage 5 | Chang Ping to Ping Gu 182.5km
The final stage and the chance for a small select group to get away with some time. The hill is only 5.4 at 6% but with it almost all downhill for the next 30 km a group working together could hold off the group if their in no clear chase. Although again most likely a sprint finish.
Riders of note:
Full teams have yet to be officially released but riders and teams of interest
Tony Martin is last years winner and back to defend but without a ITT don't see him in with much of a chance
Alessandro Petacchi bring another big name sprinter and fast finish for Lampre
Samuel Sanchez is racing for Euskaltel-Euskadi and hoping to improve on his crash marred season with victory here.
Ryder Hesjedal: Another big name to make the trip to China he will be looking for a good result overall. However Garmin also have Dan Martin as a backup and Henrich Haussler for the sprint finishes
Taylor Phinney is leading the BMC squad which is weak when you look at the roster they have.
Rinaldo Nocentini: leading the AG2R squad he will be aiming for a high overall finish to help boost is teams UCI point ranking
Movistar: are bring a strong roster including Amador & Rui Costa, Cobo, Visconti and Lastras as they also hunt for more world tour points
Daniele Bennati is the go to man for RSNT but much of the media attention has been focused on Andy Schleck who is here for training and recovery.
OGE have a team seemingly built for these sort of event with Simon Clarke looking for overall and Howard, Davis and Kroupis there for the sprints
EBH and Ben Swift fly the flag for Sky and with Dowsett and Sutton in support could put on a good show
Jeremy Roy & Anthony Roux will be looking for stage wins for FDJ rather than a focus on overall. A risky strategy for a team so far down the points table.
Greg Henderson will be leading the lotto sprint with the unstoppable Adam Hansen in support
With the changes made and the style of racing still being defined it really is anyone's race. An unexpected break could end up being a race winning move or it could come down to time bonuses in the intermediate sprints and the finish.
So hopefully I have sparked some interest so who do you think will step up and how do you think it will play out and what is your podium.
So pretty much the unwanted step child of the WT as far as the fans go we now have the tour of Beijing in it's 2nd year and personally I think they have done a much better job of making in interesting.
Out is the pancake flat stages with the opening ITT that determined the podium from start to finish.
While no real serious climbs there is enough variety to make for some interesting racing. With the top tier teams pretty much hanging up the cleats for the season it comes down to those at the bottom end of the UCI rankings to aim for a big result and ensure their place as pro-tour next year.
Unfortunately it appears that Argos will miss out on riding due to the political climate in china, a huge blow for them in what could have been a deciding factor in the final pro tour spot.
So what do we have in store.
Stage 1 | Tian An Men Square to Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium 117km
Well it starts off looking very much like last year pancake flat stage to get the legs moving and a sure day for the sprinters
Stage 2 | Bird’s Nest to Men Tou Gou 134km
The first of the hills and while I see this all coming back together potential for a breakaway to catch the peloton napping. Main hill is only 10 km @ 5% so I don't see it making a selection that early. Another sprint finish.
Stage 3 | Men Tou Gou to Badaling Great Wall 162.5km
Probably the stage that could produce the most interesting racing, reminiscent of a Veulta stage from this year. With a much smaller Y axis. 10 km at 6.4% about half way to sap some strength then finishing in a uncategorised 20 km uphill with a 1km uphill sprint at 6% to the line. If it is raced hard possibility for this to be a race winning stage.
Stage 4 | Yan Qing to Chang Ping 165.5km
Another day for a sprint finish. A few bumps that will be hardly noticed then a flat race to the line.
Stage 5 | Chang Ping to Ping Gu 182.5km
The final stage and the chance for a small select group to get away with some time. The hill is only 5.4 at 6% but with it almost all downhill for the next 30 km a group working together could hold off the group if their in no clear chase. Although again most likely a sprint finish.
Riders of note:
Full teams have yet to be officially released but riders and teams of interest
Tony Martin is last years winner and back to defend but without a ITT don't see him in with much of a chance
Alessandro Petacchi bring another big name sprinter and fast finish for Lampre
Samuel Sanchez is racing for Euskaltel-Euskadi and hoping to improve on his crash marred season with victory here.
Ryder Hesjedal: Another big name to make the trip to China he will be looking for a good result overall. However Garmin also have Dan Martin as a backup and Henrich Haussler for the sprint finishes
Taylor Phinney is leading the BMC squad which is weak when you look at the roster they have.
Rinaldo Nocentini: leading the AG2R squad he will be aiming for a high overall finish to help boost is teams UCI point ranking
Movistar: are bring a strong roster including Amador & Rui Costa, Cobo, Visconti and Lastras as they also hunt for more world tour points
Daniele Bennati is the go to man for RSNT but much of the media attention has been focused on Andy Schleck who is here for training and recovery.
OGE have a team seemingly built for these sort of event with Simon Clarke looking for overall and Howard, Davis and Kroupis there for the sprints
EBH and Ben Swift fly the flag for Sky and with Dowsett and Sutton in support could put on a good show
Jeremy Roy & Anthony Roux will be looking for stage wins for FDJ rather than a focus on overall. A risky strategy for a team so far down the points table.
Greg Henderson will be leading the lotto sprint with the unstoppable Adam Hansen in support
With the changes made and the style of racing still being defined it really is anyone's race. An unexpected break could end up being a race winning move or it could come down to time bonuses in the intermediate sprints and the finish.
So hopefully I have sparked some interest so who do you think will step up and how do you think it will play out and what is your podium.
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