Road Nationals Preview #1

Featuring a Time Trial, Criterium and Road Race, the #RoadNats is the place to feel the Green and Gold Rush.

In 2015 the Time Trial becomes the first event of the five-day carnival of elite cycling on Wednesday January 1, 2015, which culminates on the Sunday for the Elite Men’s Road Race, Australia’s Greatest One-Day Race.

Stay tuned for a second preview with favorites for each of those three events, that we will cover. Opposing to last year, where Cameron Meyer (Orica) took out the road race ahead of team mate Simon Clarke, this year's startlist will be packed with more of Aussie's very best riders - such as Simon Gerrans and soon-to-retire Cadel Evans! Of course we will have a closer look at "our" NRS boys, too.

Criterium in Ballarat..
Sturt Street in Ballarat..
The crucial climb in Buninyong's road race..
Who'll be the first in the fast finish?

In last year's road race, Meyer held off Clarke for line honours..

Some big guns missed last year's RoadNats for different reasons, but Australia's only WorldTour-team Orica did well to prove it's domination thanks to an impressive double-attack by Meyer/Clarke 8km before finish. The duo held on til the line, with early escaping veteran Brown completing the podium ahead of two of our NRS-boys Anderson/O'Brien missing it closely..

tsmoha wrote:


You are too kind, thanks guys! Also the_hoyle, nice to see you here!

As for the spoiler: any support is always welcome iirc, we still have a pending request anyway (Satalyst shirt). Which would be cool to have. Otherwise, PM me if i'm wrong or stuff missing!

clamel wrote:


I second that wish for a Satalyst jersey....
Perhaps the new Navitas-Satalyst will pop up soon enough.

Road Nationals Preview #2

Just a short preview, of what to expect from the 2015 RoadNats down under. Three challenging events, in which the NRS-teams will try to show something special to grab some glory "off" those WT-riders.

The queen event will be the road race, of course. And it's a huge lineup, made for a thrilling "final" between veterans like Cadel Evans, Simon Gerrans and Richie Porte in particular. Evans is soon to retire from the sport, yet enjoying this last Australian summer of cycling to quit his career big time.

The timetrial looks like a certain win for Orica though, as Durbridge and Hepburn should battle this one out. Some NRS-stars though decided to ride this event anyway, such as comebacking Timmy Roe and Will Clarke. First mission: bronze!

And Australia wouldn't be Australia, if there was no crit event: Steele Von Hoff took this title back in 2014, but of course such races are hard to predict. No easy pick for a top-favorite, as both sprinters like Giacoppo or Howard and puncheurs like Haas may have a shot here.

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/15NRS_OBrien_zps4070731d.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Mark O'Brien (Avanti Racing)
O'Brien had some very good results in the Aussie Nats (like last year's 5th place) and may be his new team's biggest hope to again fight for a Top-5. Some good support, too, the climber will definitely try and go with the big guns here.

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/15NRS_Roe_zps457900ee.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Timothy Roe (Team Budget)
One of the most interesting NRS-riders this year, Roe comes off two injury-blown seasons to "re-boot" his career with one of the strongest teams. Prior to the season, Roe felt confident to be close to his best: watch out!

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/15NRS_Aussie_Durbridge_zpscb7e89d0.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Luke Durbridge (Orica)
Has already won both timetrial (2014) and road race (2013), so should be considered a real threat for both events. His big target will be the timetrial though, facing a thrilling fight against team mate Michael Hepburn.

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/15NRS_Aussie_vonhoff_zps6bf85976.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Steele Von Hoff (Garmin)
Von Hoff is something like a crit-specialist and will aim to defend his title from last year, where Avanti's Giacoppo had to settle for the runner-up.. lacking a deep team at this Nats, Von Hoff should be at the front of bunch anyway.

[img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/15NRS_Aussie_Gerro_zps931c0b70.jpg[/img-l][img-l]https://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x323/tsmoha/NRS_Portraits/NRS_Platzhalter_zps31ed228a.png[/img-l]Simon Gerrans (Orica)
Missed last year's Nats due to an injury and looks forward to a final showdown between him and Evans.. of course Porte and other names will aim for the road's title, too. But Gerro is something like the top-favorite when at his best.

Australian RoadNats - Timetrial

Orica's Michael Hepburn took out the 44km timetrial-event around Burrumbeet in a thrilling battle against team mate Luke Durbridge! The latter, considered as the top-favorite prior to the RoadNats, came 4" short on Hepburn, who grabbed his first win in the rush for green and gold.

Rohan Dennis (Garmin) took the last podium-spot, eventually losing 1'03" on Hepburn and finishing 16" ahead of Will Clarke (Drapac), who made an impressive start for his new ProContinental-team.. Ben Dyball (Avanti) would complete the Top-5 ahead of Timothy Roe (Budget), who indeed looks back in shape after suffering from injuries the past two years.

On perfect weather conditions, the race looked always in total control of the top-seeded Orica-duo though. And the two made for some thrill, as it were just those 4 seconds, which seperated them on the day's second and final split. Durbridge fought hard to gain those seconds back, but finished the final sector off with exactly the same time as Hepburn, who would then take this prestigious TT-title!

Hepburn was the first of the favorites to set his long lasting best time...

Roe missed the podium by 41 seconds eventually. Still a nice showing..

Clarke had a realistic shot at this podium..

..such as Dyball, who finished behind Clarke though!

..when Dennis beat Clarke, it was already certain, he wouldn't take the title..

..and defending champion Durbridge also missed the win! Just 4 seconds..

#FINAL RESULTS

1	Michael Hepburn	Orica - GreenEdge	59'28
2	Luke Durbridge	Orica - GreenEdge	+ 4
3	Rohan Dennis	Garmin Sharp	+ 1'03
4	Will Clarke	Drapac Cycling	+ 1'19
5	Ben Dyball	Avanti Racing Team	+ 1'39
6	Thimothy Roe	Budget Forklifts	+ 1'44
7	James Hepburn	search2retain	s.t.
8	Travis Meyer	Drapac Cycling	+ 1'48
9	Cameron Meyer	Orica - GreenEdge	+ 1'52
10	Jayden Copp	Team Scody Downunder	+ 1'58

sutty68 wrote:
I suppose Timothy will have to be happy with 6th place

Australian RoadNats - Criterium

Angus Tobin surprisingly took the Crits-title thanks to an early breakaway appearance and a late solo-effort! His biggest win in his career, Tobin also made all NRS-fans proud to "steal" at least one Nats-jersey from the top-seeded WorldTour-riders.

A group of 4 riders went clear from the bunch early into this challenging crit-race: Tobin (search2) and Rendall (African Wildlife) as the most notable names, accompanied by Edwards (Paradice) and Harland (Cellarbrations).. some crosswinds (35kmh) would make for a tough and fast tace, too. Avanti Racing and Orica led the bunch for the most time, narrowing the gap back to 30 seconds with one lap (10km) to go.

But it was not meant to be for the top-favorites, as the chase was hindered by a couple of late attacks then. With teams like Orica (Hayman), Drapac (Phelan) or Budget (Nankvervis, Wohler) having some riders on the move, Avanti would struggle to keep the pace rolling. An action-packed final lap would favour those at the front.. Hayman desperately tried to bridge across that gap, but it was Tobin, just followed by Edwards, who managed to hold off the nearing bunch til the line! 30 seconds later, Simon Clarke (Orica) just sprinted for 3rd place ahead of Jones (Avanti) and Haas (Garmin), as also Edwards brought home an impressive result for a new NRS-team on the block!

The early breakaway racing the Sturt Street..

Avanti leading the bunch into the second half..

Criterium at his best!

Hayman (Orica) on the move late into the race..

Budget's duo Nankervis/Wohler trying to follow..

Tobin dropped his breakaway companions, fighting his way up..

..the bunch coming too late to bridge the gap..

..to see Angus Tobin (search2) celebrating a huge win!

#FINAL RESULTS

1	Angus Tobin	search2retain	1h13'49
2	Lachie Edwards	Paradice Investment Cycling	+ 17
3	Simon Clarke	Orica - GreenEdge	+ 33
4	Brenton Jones	Avanti Racing Team	s.t.
5	Nathan Haas	Garmin Sharp	s.t.
6	Steele Von Hoff	Garmin Sharp	s.t.
7	Oliver Kent-Spark	search2retain	s.t.
8	Alex Wohler	Budget Forklifts	s.t.
9	Wesley Sulzberger	Drapac Cycling	s.t.
10	Daniel Barry	Budget Forklifts	s.t.

Australian RoadNats - Road Race

Simon Gerrans takes over the road's title from team mate Cam Meyer, as Orica's captain rode to an impressive solo-victory in Buninyong! Cameron Wurf (Cannondale) and Cadel Evans (Trek) completed the podium in an action-packed race, in which the NRS-guys missed another Top-5 result after last year's 4th (Anderson) and 5th (O'Brien).

An early breakaway with Szollosi (Data#3), Bowman (Seight) and Bonello (GPM) did well to hang on, but had no chance against the very best, with the first serious moves (initiated by Sky's Riche Porte) being launched 22km before finish.. Porte, who would later go for another attack, was joined by Wurf and Gerrans, establishing a notable gap on a further group with favorites. Oldie Evans bridged accross though and the break of the day was caught on the penultimate lap.

This leading group would hold on their lead, but Gerrans, countering this second move by Porte easily, was a class of his own: dropping Porte/Evans/Wurf 11km to the line, the veteran finished it off in style for a dominating solo-win! In a thrilling sprint for the runner-up, Wurf came 2nd ahead of Evans and Porte, who had nothing left to give there.

A next group with Earle (Sky), Roe (Budget), Sulzberger (Drapac) and O'Brien (Avanti) would fight for the last Top-5-spot, which was taken by Durbridge (Orica) eventually. No NRS-glory, but the guys did well to join the attacks and hang on with some WorldTour-riders til the end.

Bowman (Seight) and Bonello (GPM) climbing..

The back of the pack trying to hang on..

Wurf and Gerrans jumping behind Porte 22km before finish!

Haas, Durbridge and Evans launching their first moves 17km to the line!

Rogers (Tinkoff) and Wes Sulzberger (Drapac) following this move..

..like O'Brien, Roe, Simon Clarke and Lapthorne a few moments later!

Porte with his second attack late into the bell lap..

..countered by Gerro, just when Porte took a bottle!

Last year's NRS-champion Earle climbing alongside Roe, Sulz and Haas..

Gerro celebrates his solo-victory!

Thrilling sprint for 2nd, with Wurf eventually beating Evans..

..the peloton going downill for the last time today..

#FINAL RESULTS

1	Simon Gerrans	Orica - GreenEdge	4h35'52
2	Cameron Wurf	Cannondale Pro Cycling	+ 1'51
3	Cadel Evans	Trek Factory Racing	s.t.
4	Richard Porte	Team Sky	s.t.
5	Luke Durbridge	Orica - GreenEdge	+ 2'35
6	Nathan Earle	Team Sky	s.t.
7	Wesley Sulzberger	Drapac Cycling	s.t.
8	Nathan Haas	Garmin Sharp	s.t.
9	Mark O'Brien	Avanti Racing Team	s.t.
10	Thimothy Roe	Budget Forklifts	s.t.