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2016 Tour Down Under (19 to 24 January)
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| roturn |
Posted on 11-01-2016 19:24
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18th Santos Tour Down Under
The 2016 route has a few changes but stays similar.
The race starts with a stage for the sprinters. Though as proven last year a breakaway can surprise as well.
Stage 2 is on the same course as 2015 with a small difference. Two additional hills on the hilly circuit in Stirling make the stage even harder. Rarely a flat piece in between, it`s an up and down all day with a uphill sprint towards the finish.
Stage 3 is back to the steep Corkscrew Climb and no longer the uphill finish in Paracombe. Other than that a similar stage, where the GC riders must not lose contact as the descent is really fast and close to the finish.
The Bupa Stage 4 could be the 2nd chance for the sprinters. Though they need to pass a KoM in Port Elliot first.
The GC as always should be made on Willunga Hill. No changes to the route. Twice going up there. While the stage alone is already very difficult (in especially that early in the season) the wind also plays a role. Depending of the direction the groups will be bigger or smaller here. But in general a strong attack as seen by Richie Porte in previous two years can destroy the field completely.
The final stage in Adelaide on a 4,5km circuit a 20 laps. It might be a high speed stage with the sprinter going for the win. Having a perfect leadout here is often important.
***** Gerrans
**** Dennis, Porte
*** Pozzovivo, Ulissi, Valls
** Henao, Meintjes, Fernà ndez, Thomas
* Haas, Taaramae, Machado, Hesjedal, Pantano |
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 11-01-2016 19:27
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Tour de France Champion
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Ah always a great moment, first racing of the season 
Nice preview. Let's hope for a nice race! |
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| Miguel98 |
Posted on 11-01-2016 19:28
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World Champion
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OUR DROUGHT IS ALMOST OVER. 
I think Porte will take it, but I expect a surprise from a certain Nathan Haas. And my nationalistic bias says that Machado will have a good result. |
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| lakebeach |
Posted on 11-01-2016 21:31
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Protected Rider
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I hope Gerrans finds his form and attacks away from the others on Willunga Hill to win the race. |
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| matt17br |
Posted on 11-01-2016 21:42
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Directeur Sportif
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| Shonak |
Posted on 11-01-2016 21:48
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Tour de France Champion
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Hard to see past Dennis and Porte but Movistar was very flexible and successful last year, so I hope for a Lobato stage win and maybe a noteworthy GC for Fernandez. Gogl to do his first race on WT level, good luck to him too. Bobridge as new aussie champ after an (apparently) aspiring great solo is also game for one, two stage wins I imagine.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| roturn |
Posted on 11-01-2016 21:49
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I think Jarlinson Pantano will do well here. Was more or less the main reason why I picked him in the Fantasy League.
He was 9th last year and wants to top5 this season. His start to the season was good as he won some Colombian Classic already.
Other than that I expect big things by the Dimension Data team. Meyer/Haas is a great combo. Possibly the best in the race as both should have a good form. Not too sure about Porte/Dennis, Thomas/Henao, Ulissi/Meintjes, Gerrans/Impey/Albasini, Taaramae/Machado, Arredondo/Hesjedal and so on. At least one of them is possibly not in the best form.
It`s cool that many home riders have a great chance here like plus some Kiwis like Bennett.
What actually is the reason behind UNISA? I think it`s a good addition and nice experience for those riders. But isn`t there normally a restriction for PCT teams only as wildcards in WT events? Is this the only excemption all year? |
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| Spilak23 |
Posted on 12-01-2016 00:08
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Will be following to see if Boom shows some better form. Short stages should help
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 13:09
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 12-01-2016 00:33
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Porte will win but Ulissi should be very close. All depends how well Dennis does the job on Willunga for him and seperates him from Ulissi, but it should be enough.
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 12-01-2016 05:48
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Not the strongest startlist , but it'll make for an open race despite the presence of Porte, Ulissi and Gerrans. I'm interested to see hhow Dimension will go with the Haas - Meyer duo, and Lampre with Maintjes, Pibernik and Grmay. Also Garmin with Clarke, Moser, Wippert and Bevin. Should make for an exciting race.
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| lakebeach |
Posted on 12-01-2016 07:07
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You never know... |
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| roturn |
Posted on 13-01-2016 15:21
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Team Manager
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Velogames is offering a Fantasy League again.
Join the league on www.velogames.com, create yourself a team and then join the PCM.Daily league by using the following code: 13153720 |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 14-01-2016 02:25
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Tour de France Champion
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I'm in the PCM Daily League so everyone look out Sutty's in town |
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| Roextro |
Posted on 14-01-2016 09:17
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Small Tour Specialist
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Going to be a three way battle between Gerro, Porte and Dennis. The GC will most likely be decided by bonus seconds.
Joined the velogames league  |
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| Scatmaster111 |
Posted on 14-01-2016 23:10
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Domestique
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Joined the league.
I don't think Gerrans still has it. Maybe a top 5, but I don't think he'll breach the podium or win a stage. My pick for the win is Porte, but as far as I can tell it's gonna be between him and Dennis so a BMC win either way I slice it. I think a lower-tier favourite like Meinjes or maybe even Woods will take up the last spot on the podium.
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| ringo182 |
Posted on 15-01-2016 12:23
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Classics Specialist
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How many leagues do Velogames do a year? Would be good to do a year long competition based on all of the results for an overall 2016 PCMDaily fantasy cycling champion (unless it's already done).
Top 25 teams in the final standings pick up points and the points are totalled up at the end of the year.
If your interested then stick a good idea light-bulb to this post. If I get enough I'll maybe look at starting a competition for the year.
Edited by ringo182 on 15-01-2016 14:10
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 15-01-2016 12:43
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World Champion
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ringo182 wrote:
How many leagues do Velogames do a year? Would be good to do a year long competition based on all of the results for an overall 2016 PCMDaily fantasy cycling champion (unless it's already done).
Top 25 teams in the final standings pick up points and the points are totalled up at the end of the year.
No to hijack the topic, but this site seems to handle a lot of races this year:
https://www.worldc...m/en/games
As far as I can see, it's also free unlike Velogames that has pay-only races.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| Tafiolmo |
Posted on 15-01-2016 22:22
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Sprinter
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I can't believe that the cycling season is back under way again proper in just a few days and also improved with a great review from Roturn. |
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| Smowz |
Posted on 16-01-2016 06:20
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Well here goes - always a fun battle up Old Willunga, though Porte has had a bit of a lock on it the last two years. Should be interesting to see if Dennis is climbing a bit better now he is not chasing the hour.
Porte did show a few times last year he is a dodgy descender/bike handler. So chance for brave moves perhaps by likes of Ullisi/ Minekeys/ Skyborgs.
Gerrans I fancy is about to join bumchin Evans' knackers yard. The kind of guy who has made the most of what he has for sure. This year not certain he is the wheelsucker of before.
The sprints should be quite interesting with no Gorilla here - good chance for Caleb Ewan to step up over the second tier Italian boys.
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 16-01-2016 07:01
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Really looking forward to this, unfortunately I can't watch it live this year (but I guess I can watch all the European races live then).
I'll be supporting Gerrans but I actually think Ullisi will win it, especially if the stage with the descent finish (can't remember name ) ends with a reduced bunch sprint.
As for the sprints here I'm completely biased by having Swift and Rojas in my pc m fantasy league team.
Ollfardh wrote:
As far as I can see, it's also free unlike Velogames that has pay-only races.
Velogames is running all races free this year I think.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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