Tour Down Under *spoiler*

Richmond Racer

Fed up with all the doping stuff so felt like starting this thread even though its 2 weeks away and I know many people are 'meh' about TDU.

But...this year's start list has some interesting names including Phil Gil, Andy S, Kittel, amongst others.

frenchfighter

Yeah some good names. It's in Australia though and 35C.

Bring on Tour of Oman.

Richmond Racer

frenchfighter wrote:

Yeah some good names. It's in Australia though and 35C.

Bring on Tour of Oman.

Still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, Frenchie

Temps have been really mental with even the Aussies suffering in the recent Bay Classics and the SunTour - but long range forecasts are for the temps in Adelaide to come down to something a bit more manageable

roypsb

Can't come soon enough for me - really miss the cycling season so anything's good.

rick_chasey

Obligatory 'this is just training' comment

Richmond Racer

But also, in the words of Sir Brucie, points make prizes. The Chasing Points game starts from the off...

inkyfingers

I'm not afraid to admit that i'm looking forward to it a little bit, be nice to talk about some cycling rather than just doping and kit.

Are they finishing a stage on top of Willunga hill again this year, at least that stopped it become a simple sprint fest.

Also surprised they haven't (at least in the past) put in a little prologue TT.

frenchfighter

Is Valverde riding?

Richmond Racer

inkyfingers wrote:

I'm not afraid to admit that i'm looking forward to it a little bit, be nice to talk about some cycling rather than just doping and kit.

Are they finishing a stage on top of Willunga hill again this year, at least that stopped it become a simple sprint fest.

Also surprised they haven't (at least in the past) put in a little prologue TT.

Yep - Old Willunga Hill's back. Seems that they've chucked in some more climbs and uphill finishes so continuing to make it less-pure sprinter friendly in terms of overall GC.

inkyfingers

Richmond Racer wrote:

inkyfingers wrote:

I'm not afraid to admit that i'm looking forward to it a little bit, be nice to talk about some cycling rather than just doping and kit.

Are they finishing a stage on top of Willunga hill again this year, at least that stopped it become a simple sprint fest.

Also surprised they haven't (at least in the past) put in a little prologue TT.

Yep - Old Willunga Hill's back. Seems that they've chucked in some more climbs and uphill finishes so continuing to make it less-pure sprinter friendly in terms of overall GC.

That's good.

Turfle

I'm so excited.

Some good new climbs this year, including a 2.5k 10%er on stage 2 just a few k from the finish.

Good field too. Gerrans, GIlbert, EBH maybe the main contenders for the overall.

smithy21

I do quite like the TdU. I even find Oman and Qatar vaguely watchable to whet the appetite before the real action starts.

Mrs S never quite believes the season is starting "already".

vanleapo

Anyone know which TV channel it's on this year, or do I have to watch on Steephill?

Paul 8v

smithy21 wrote:

I do quite like the TdU. I even find Oman and Qatar vaguely watchable to whet the appetite before the real action starts.

Mrs S never quite believes the season is starting "already".

She's lucky you're not a football fan, that only ever seems to stop for about 2 days and they talk about is constantly in that time!

At least with sports such as cycling or F1 there is an anticipation of the season starting and all the build-up, not looking forward to the tour down under simply because it's the only one on sky sports and I'm not paying for that for one race, bring on the Eurosport races!

rick_chasey

smithy21 wrote:

I do quite like the TdU. I even find Oman and Qatar vaguely watchable to whet the appetite before the real action starts.

Mrs S never quite believes the season is starting "already".

Ive never warmed to the TdU.

Qatar on the other hand. When the wind blows.....

philbar72

Greipel for at least 3 stage wins!

thegreatdivide

vanleapo wrote:

Anyone know which TV channel it's on this year, or do I have to watch on Steephill?

Sky again I think.

Cycling Torrents for me :-(

Pross

smithy21 wrote:

I do quite like the TdU. I even find Oman and Qatar vaguely watchable to whet the appetite before the real action starts.

Mrs S never quite believes the season is starting "already".

Oman is more than vaguely watchable. It has a decent mixture of stages including some tough climbs together with fantastic scenery. Unfortunately the edited highlights just don't do it justice. Qatar can be a bit dull to look at but as Rick says, if crosswinds blow it can bring some fantastic racing. Qatar suffers from lack of scenery and atmosphere and they both suffer from a lack of history and being located in places with no history of pro cycling. I only watched the TDU in 2011 and it was a bit of a snooze fest, I'm sure they could find a more selective route but I guess they need to make it fairly 'easy' so early in the season or they would put off many of the bigger name European riders.

prawny

The biggest problem with the TDU is the commentry.

frenchfighter

So Bobridge won the TT after crashing the day before and having rheumatoid arthritis.

And Meyer solo'd from early and held the entire field off.

Lots of strength in depth in Australia :roll:

Richmond Racer

No, Durbridge won the Mens TT. Bobridge finished 18th - clearly well off the pace.

I was thinking about the Aussie nats this morning. OGE riders have already won the men and womens TTs, the mens Crit title today with Meyer, and they'll be swarming in numbers all over the weekend's women and mens RRs. Not sure how well this goes down in OZ land, especially domestically. Even the other Pro Tour riders are up against it in the RRs because they're lacking in team numbers. Well, maybe healthy's not the right word, but certainly a bit dispiriting.

frenchfighter

Ah, should read these things more clearly! Too many 'bridges'.

frenchfighter

Ah, ah. Durbridge did crash after hitting a pothole the day before and still won. The arthritis is Bobbridge.

Luke Durbridge ‏@luke_durbridge1
Heading back to hotel. Hit a epic hole in the ground then down on my arse. Puncture and broken saddle and some skin. #Notwhatyouwant

Richmond Racer

frenchfighter wrote:

Ah, ah. Durbridge did crash after hitting a pothole the day before and still won. The arthritis is Bobbridge.

Luke Durbridge ‏@luke_durbridge1
Heading back to hotel. Hit a epic hole in the ground then down on my ars*. Puncture and broken saddle and some skin. #Notwhatyouwant

1-1 RR v FF

inkyfingers

Richmond Racer wrote:

No, Durbridge won the Mens TT. Bobridge finished 18th - clearly well off the pace.

I was thinking about the Aussie nats this morning. OGE riders have already won the men and womens TTs, the mens Crit title today with Meyer, and they'll be swarming in numbers all over the weekend's women and mens RRs. Not sure how well this goes down in OZ land, especially domestically. Even the other Pro Tour riders are up against it in the RRs because they're lacking in team numbers. Well, maybe healthy's not the right word, but certainly a bit dispiriting.

It's the same in the UK, and probably a few other countries as well.

I'm not sure if it's good, because it raises the level a bit, or bad because it makes it very difficult for domestic riders to shine. Either way, I do think that both Sky and Greenedge have had a broadly positive impact on cycling in their respective countries, even if they haven't won friends everywhere.

Richmond Racer

inkyfingers wrote:

Richmond Racer wrote:

No, Durbridge won the Mens TT. Bobridge finished 18th - clearly well off the pace.

I was thinking about the Aussie nats this morning. OGE riders have already won the men and womens TTs, the mens Crit title today with Meyer, and they'll be swarming in numbers all over the weekend's women and mens RRs. Not sure how well this goes down in OZ land, especially domestically. Even the other Pro Tour riders are up against it in the RRs because they're lacking in team numbers. Well, maybe healthy's not the right word, but certainly a bit dispiriting.

It's the same in the UK, and probably a few other countries as well.

I'm not sure if it's good, because it raises the level a bit, or bad because it makes it very difficult for domestic riders to shine. Either way, I do think that both Sky and Greenedge have had a broadly positive impact on cycling in their respective countries, even if they haven't won friends everywhere.

Probably didnt word it right, shouldnt have said it might not be healthy, but I think 'dispiriting' (just in relation to the Nat comps) is more applicable. I was thinking about the comparison with the GB nats and Sky. But there are a few key differences:

1. There's no Sky womens team so all the womens titles here are up for grabs between a much wider group of teams/riders

2. Sky dont compete in the Mens Crit Champ - last year it went to Thwaites, 2011 Briggs

3. OGE have something like 20 Aussies in their mens quad out of the 28 - and they truly do turn up mob-handed at the mens RR - they fielded 17 riders for last years RR. Sky have 8 Brits out of their 28-strong squad and generally field, what, 6 or so guys? (and yeah, appreciate that a Sky guy has won every year since the team was launched and that even the 6 are daunting for the riders from the Conti teams)

deejay

Richmond Racer wrote:

Yep - Old Willunga Hill's back. Seems that they've chucked in some more climbs and uphill finishes so continuing to make it less-pure sprinter friendly in terms of overall GC.

So it might improve to become as good an event as the Tour of Majorca then. :roll:

Richmond Racer

right, hate to digress from le dopage talk but back to the racing for a mo...

The People's Classic crit as a warmer-upper on Sun, and then TDU starts Monday.

So who do peeps fancy FTW? My money's on EBH, but I'm electing to take out an option on G. EBH has had a heavier training load than usual over the last few weeks and mercifully no ski-induced injuries from the offie. G's been out in Oz for 3 weeks, doing some serious training rides with CJ Sutton, and is well-acclimatised by now.

LeicesterLad

Richmond Racer wrote:

right, hate to digress from le dopage talk but back to the racing for a mo...

The People's Classic crit as a warmer-upper on Sun, and then TDU starts Monday.

So who do peeps fancy FTW? My money's on EBH, but I'm electing to take out an option on G. EBH has had a heavier training load than usual over the last few weeks and mercifully no ski-induced injuries from the offie. G's been out in Oz for 3 weeks, doing some serious training rides with CJ Sutton, and is well-acclimatised by now.

Contrary to popular belief, there are some other teams than that of just Sky - Theres OPQS too. (going on last years stats)

Richmond Racer

LeicesterLad wrote:

Richmond Racer wrote:

right, hate to digress from le dopage talk but back to the racing for a mo...

The People's Classic crit as a warmer-upper on Sun, and then TDU starts Monday.

So who do peeps fancy FTW? My money's on EBH, but I'm electing to take out an option on G. EBH has had a heavier training load than usual over the last few weeks and mercifully no ski-induced injuries from the offie. G's been out in Oz for 3 weeks, doing some serious training rides with CJ Sutton, and is well-acclimatised by now.

Contrary to popular belief, there are some other teams than that of just Sky - Theres OPQS too. (going on last years stats)

Oh, sorry, didnt I make it clear that I was asking people who they fancied and that I was voicing my own fancy for the win?

Thank God you're around to always point out the error of my ways

:roll:

LeicesterLad

Richmond Racer wrote:

LeicesterLad wrote:

Richmond Racer wrote:

right, hate to digress from le dopage talk but back to the racing for a mo...

The People's Classic crit as a warmer-upper on Sun, and then TDU starts Monday.

So who do peeps fancy FTW? My money's on EBH, but I'm electing to take out an option on G. EBH has had a heavier training load than usual over the last few weeks and mercifully no ski-induced injuries from the offie. G's been out in Oz for 3 weeks, doing some serious training rides with CJ Sutton, and is well-acclimatised by now.

Contrary to popular belief, there are some other teams than that of just Sky - Theres OPQS too. (going on last years stats)

Oh, sorry, didnt I make it clear that I was asking people who they fancied and that I was voicing my own fancy for the win?

Thank God you're around to always point out the error of my ways

:roll:

Well somebody got out of the bed on the wrong side today...'twas only a joke.