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Herald Sun Tour Discussion
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 09-04-2018 06:48
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Directeur Sportif
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 Herald Sun Tour
We're heading for Australia, where the Herald Sun Tour - held in Victoria's most beautiful places - will go into it's 9th edition: being held since 2009, the race is definitely one of the most iconic in the P(CT) - with some big names on the list of previous race winners: Adam Hansen was the first ever (and the first of three Australians) to win the Herald Sun Tour back in 2009. The mountainous editions were then won by Cadel Evans (2009) and this year's Giro d'Italia winner Jose Alacorn (2011). Kristjan Koren (2012), Michael Rogers (2013), Jose Mendes (2014), Aidis Kruopis (2015) and Kiril Yatsevich (2016) as the following winners then.
This year's route comes with four flat stages and the decisive 17km timetrial on third day. The flat stages ain't too easy though, particularly the short uphill sprint in Ballarat on the first day - as well as the more challenging profile for the second stage. Both sprinters and of course the TT specialists should aim high for either stage-wins or the GC battle.
The Startlist
The TT specialists | Favorites | FL | HI | TT | REC | Outsiders | FL | HI | TT | REC |  Reus | 77 | 74 | 79 | 78 |  Mottin | 69 | 61 | 79 | 69 |  Stannard | 75 | 55 | 79 | 67 | Robert | 67 | 60 | 79 | 68 | | Tennant | 77 | 69 | 78 | 77 |  Hacecký | 74 | 63 | 77 | 68 | | Mullen | 75 | 70 | 78 | 72 |  Christian | 73 | 69 | 77 | 70 |  Hofer | 73 | 65 | 78 | 68 | Laizer | 70 | 58 | 77 | 69 | | Dennis | 72 | 75 | 78 | 67 |  Kneisky | 79 | 67 | 76 | 73 |  Ma | 76 | 66 | 77 | 68 |  Cruz | 73 | 62 | 76 | 67 |  Grabovski | 74 | 71 | 77 | 73 | Kireva | 75 | 69 | 75 | 72 |
Stannard as a former stage-winner here (back in 2014) and 5th in the GC last season. While he may fear those hills on the second day the most, he's amongst the most promising riders for the ITT here. Just like his teammates Robert (who could be in troubles to survive the flat stages though), Tennant (4th last year) and of course local favorite Dennis. A big race for cycleYorkshire in particular. Tennant and Dnenis probably as their biggest hopes for the highest possible GC result and of course the Aussies would love to see Dennis taking the GC win as the fourth Australian here.
The competition is fierce though: Reus as the big favorite. The veteran comes with a great stage race package and shouldn't be worried of tricky flat stages at all. The same - though on a less strong level - goes for guys like Mullen and Grabovski. Also Hofer and Ma should do fine on the flat roads here.
Mottin as another possible dark horse: amongst the best pure TT specialists, he ain't as strong on road stages as the earlier mentioned GC contenders. Hacécky, Christian, Laizier, a premium roleur like Knesky or Kireva can do something special as well. We know the TT stories and a good day on the timetrial can mean everything for all of those guys on the list - and probably a few other riders, who are not listed here.
The Sprinters | Favorites | FL | HI | SP | AC | Outsiders | FL | HI | SP | AC | | Haller | 72 | 65 | 80 | 79 | Corti | 72 | 63 | 78 | 76 | | Rowe | 72 | 62 | 80 | 70 | Manan | 68 | 60 | 78 | 78 | | Meyer | 72 | 61 | 80 | 76 | Opie | 70 | 66 | 77 | 77 | | Salleh | 70 | 59 | 80 | 80 | Horton | 76 | 67 | 76 | 82 |  Clarke | 72 | 62 | 79 | 78 | Bercz | 72 | 70 | 76 | 77 |  Von Hoff | 71 | 66 | 79 | 77 |  Martinez | 72 | 68 | 76 | 76 | | Kreder | 73 | 70 | 78 | 80 |  Bole | 71 | 74 | 76 | 74 |  Angarita | 72 | 62 | 78 | 77 | Stacchiotti | 71 | 67 | 75 | 76 |  Park | 70 | 63 | 78 | 77 |  Anderson | 70 | 75 | 72 | 75 |
While the sprinters probably won't fight for the highest GC positions, there's obviously some valuable points up for grabs in four possible bunch sprint decisions:
Haller, Salleh and Meyer as the most promising riders - with Meyer actually being a decent TT rider as well. If the Aussie can add bonifications to a solid performance in the decisive timetrial, he may actually become a dark horse for a notable GC result. His acceleration though - just like Rowe's kick - is a minor concern.
Some more Aussie power then: Clarke and Von Hoff will certainly hope to be in the mix for line honours. They should have good chances to do something of note in this field of sprinters here. The same goes for Kreder, who's acceleration and of course climbing skills could become a nice advantage particularly for the first two stages.
Angarita, Park as some other possible threats for the top sprinters, just like Bercz, Bole or maybe Anderson for the most challenging flat stages.
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 09-04-2018 07:55
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Directeur Sportif
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Mixed feelings about the team I've sent here. High hopes on Kreder delivering on the flat stages. Grabovski alone for the TT is probably a bad idea. He really should still be pushing for a top 5 but judging by past performances, I'm not very hopeful of that. Should've brought Van Zandbeek here too.
Yorkshire's depth in TT might see them back in contention for the promotions spots again! Reddit too will be in contention for a lot of points.
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| Aquarius97 |
Posted on 09-04-2018 09:00
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Kneisky, you better deliver in the TT! Reddit and Yorkshire with a team that could bring them huge points from this race 
Stacchiotti actually made it to the preview 
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 09-04-2018 09:33
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World Champion
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Not a good looking race for us - hope for some home form for Clarkey to justify not sending him to Solidarnosc. My planning is all wrong - Jams and Clarkey in the same race and no MTK or Davison here is plain dumb.
Have to say with the GC lineup I love you all but go Kulczyk, Grabovski, Mottin, Laizer, Cruz, Christian and Krieva 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| Yellow Jersey |
Posted on 09-04-2018 09:37
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2809
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Similar to Bayern Runfahrt, we need a strong ITT performance from at least one of our specialists to have some success.. If not, well just hoping for breaks 
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| Vien |
Posted on 09-04-2018 10:23
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2322
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We put our best riders here instead of Soli, so we need a lot of points justifying going all in for just a C2 race. Meyer as the dark horse should be the one to do so.
Thanks for the preview tsmoha. |
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 09-04-2018 10:28
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Maybe we can get that stage win that has eluded us the entire season
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 18:18
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 09-04-2018 14:01
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Hoping for a really good showing here as we near the end of our season! Von Hoff is on good form at the moment and Flens and Roe could produce a good TT and a high GC finish!!
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 09-04-2018 17:25
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
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Its going to be tough but you never know  |
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| Kentaurus |
Posted on 09-04-2018 22:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3999
Joined: 26-07-2011
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This is Bonus Round time! Nothing expected here so if Angarita (or anyone else) can find some points it is just extra.
AZTECA - NBCSN  |
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| sammyt93 |
Posted on 09-04-2018 22:47
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Hopefully Salleh can get a stage win and at least match if not get the better of Haller here to retain his spot as top Sprinter, I guess a top 10 GC would be a good result judging by how Hofer has done all year in TT's but I'm more looking forward to the sprints.
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 10-04-2018 06:33
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Love me some Kreder 
Thanks for the report!
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| Vien |
Posted on 10-04-2018 07:07
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2322
Joined: 16-06-2008
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Uh, I didn't expect the climb to be this steep. Bad start. |
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 10-04-2018 07:17
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Nice one for whitejersey ! congrats
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 10-04-2018 08:23
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
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Uhm... at least Afoa was in the break I guess 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 10-04-2018 08:59
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Posts: 9099
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Great result with the Top4 shared by amazing teams/riders
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| Aquarius97 |
Posted on 10-04-2018 09:08
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4191
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I was like "wtf are we doing" when my riders were working in the front to catch Partridge, but then a even bigger wtf when Serrano, a rider with flat, hills and sprint in the mid-sixties, sprints to ninth in the stage
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 10-04-2018 10:13
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
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EHHHm. That was unexpected Ryan Anderson ya wonderful Canadian bastard! Was sorta expecting to go emptyhanded from this race but I guess that this finish suited him well!
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 10-04-2018 10:32
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Team Leader
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Well that wasn't the start we were looking for but still not terrible! Von Hoff did his best! Lets hope he can come back from this!!
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 10-04-2018 12:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
Joined: 22-08-2010
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Oh so close for Partridge  |
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