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2015 Tour Down Under (20 to 25 January)
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 21-01-2015 13:46
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Classics Specialist
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Alakagom wrote:
Garmin worked so hard and leaves Haas 450metres into the wind..just...
Lobato, what a speed, Great win. Impey with important bonus for GC. Gorka with 3rd surprised, could do well here. Stage 3 will be hella of a stage.
Great GIF that one - no-one else is moving relative to each other (other than Haas going backwards nearly as fast) then Lobato Express coming through. |
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 21-01-2015 14:13
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Grand Tour Specialist
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CountArach wrote:
Eden95 wrote:
I really think the #1 ranked NRS team (or the team of the #1 ranked rider, which usually tends to be from the best ranked team) at the end of each season should get a place in the TDU alongside UniSA and now Drapac. It would provide invaluable experience for the selected riders and team + it would provide so any other benefits.
The only problem would be that they're not PCT, so I don't think it would be possible. But then again, the UCI kind of do their own thing so they might allow it.
The UCI are the ones who make that rule so they won't break it. Only national teams (like Poland in Pologne) and PCT squads are allowed to get wildcards.
Thought so. It could be a great initiative. Shame.
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-01-2015 14:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
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Have to say though the Garmin Cannondale jersey looks really good in the peleton  |
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| Roextro |
Posted on 21-01-2015 14:18
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2370
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sutty68 wrote:
Have to say though the Garmin Cannondale jersey looks really good in the peleton
Didnt like at the presentation but I agree it looks awesome in the bunch |
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 21-01-2015 15:13
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Grand Tour Specialist
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ianrussell wrote:
Alakagom wrote:
Garmin worked so hard and leaves Haas 450metres into the wind..just...
Lobato, what a speed, Great win. Impey with important bonus for GC. Gorka with 3rd surprised, could do well here. Stage 3 will be hella of a stage.
Great GIF that one - no-one else is moving relative to each other (other than Haas going backwards nearly as fast) then Lobato Express coming through.
Indeed, he is one of he best at that. We could be looking at an Oscar Freire type of rider here, he still have many years ahead and could potentially take a big step this season. Not maybe AS good, but the similarities man... |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 21-01-2015 19:53
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
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Yeah, that jersey looks so good. NOT. It is still disgusting.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-01-2015 23:14
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
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baseballlover312 wrote:
Yeah, that jersey looks so good. NOT. It is still disgusting.
Someone still sounds a little upset by it  |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 22-01-2015 02:20
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Sprinter
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Stage 3 - Norwood to Paracombe (143.2KM)
(Click image to enlarge)
Since the 2012 Tour Down Under and the addition of the double ascent of Willunga Hill someone who finished within the top 10 placings in Stage 2 to Stirling has gone on to win the Tour Down Under. So with two riders in the walking away with podium places and a third finishing eleventh on the stage to Stirling, Movistar look to be in a good position to possibly win the Ochre Jersey by the race's end.
Beginning in the Adelaide suburb of Norword, Stage Three to Paracombe, covering 143.2 kilometres in the process, will bring a distinctly Australian flavour to a stage finish which could have been ripped straight out of the Ardennes. The only sort of flat on offer for the peloton today will be of the dreaded 'false flat' variety, with the parcours either ascending or descending in gradient.
(Click image to enlarge)
When the peloton reaches Lobenthal they will begin a three lap circuit that will see them pass through Lenswood, Woodside and Charleston while looping counter-clockwise back towards Lobenthal. The three lap circuit will also contain an intermediate sprint in Charleston, with the sprint points and bonus seconds on offer up for contention a total of three times.
After completing three laps of the circuit the peloton will leave Lobenthal and make a beeline for Cuddle Creek and the climb of Torrens Hill Road. The teams contesting the stage victory and General Classification will need to be alert about there position in the peloton even before they begin the snaking descent down to Cuddle Creek, as at speed it will likely stretch the peloton out in to a long thin line.
A sharp right-hand turn on to Torrens Hill Road will ensure a fight will be on for pole position in the peloton heading in to the final 2000 metres. The momentum lost turning on to Torrens Hill Road will play right in to the hands of this climb devilish climb, with the first 100 metres of the ascent at an average gradient of about 10%.
(Click image to enlarge)
Measuring 1200 metres in length, at an average gradient of 9% with sections as high as a staggering 20%, the climb of Torrens Hill Road is short but ruthless. The inconsistency of the slope will have the peloton reaching to change their gears in order to deal with some of the massive shifts in gradient, with some sections beginning as low as 4.7% before ramping straight up to an agonising 20%.
Today's King of the Mountain point according to the roadbook is situated about 200-250 metres from the summit of Torrens Hill Road and should alert both riders and viewers alike that there is only about 500 metres remaining. After cresting the summit of Torrens Hill Road the road flattens out for the final 250-300 metres, so if the race isn't yet shattered to pieces we could be in for a fatigued sprint to line between two or more riders.
Today's stage seems best suited to the Ardennes Classics specialists, with the climb of Torrens Hill Road arguably aping the infamous Mur de Huy. It will be a tough ask for the likes of J.J. Lobato and Daryl Impey to stay with the General Classification contenders, with Lobato reportedly working for Gorka Izaguirre, but if they can hold on towards the summit they should have an advantage in any sprint.
AG2R Le Mondiale's diminutive Italian Domencio Pozzovivo almost seems tailored made for today's decisive climb, with his acceleration and light weight a boon up against the high gradients present on Torrens Hill Road. The Italian finished yesterday's less suitable stage to Stirling in 14th, meaning his form and fitness might be at the levels required to win both the stage and the race overall.
Team Sky can be expected to be heavily represented at the front of the peloton during today's stage as they look to look after team leader and race favourite Richie Porte. The Tasmanian lacks the punchy kick of some of his rivals but compensates through sheer grit and a constant power output, the reportedly great form and fitness could potentially see Porte crack his rivals over the difficult gradient.
Another Australian who could potentially put the entire field in danger through sheer willpower over blistering acceleration is BMC Racing's Cadel Evans. Last year over the steep gradients of the Corkscrew climb Evans managed to establish a notable gap, which he held on his way to victory in Campbelltown during the descent.
Should Orica GreenEDGE and Daryl Impey adjudge the Torrens Hill Road climb to be beyond the capabilities of the South African we could see the Australian team turn to Simon Clarke. In last year's La Fleche Wallone the Victorian finished 16th after working for team mate Michael Albasini, team leadership for the day and the lesser quality field could see Clarke shoot up the standings in Paracombe.
Some other notable riders to keep en eye on are Giant Alpecin's Tom Dumoulin and Simon Geschke, Team Movistar's Gorke Izaguirre and Ruben Fernandez, Team Katusha Gianpaolo Caruso or Tiago Machado, Astana's L.L Sanchez and Tinkoff Saxo's Michael Rogers.
BMC Racing's Peter Stetina currently holds the KoM for Torrens Hill Road on Strava with a 3:42 set earlier in the year on the 14th of January (2015). In comparison, Daryl Impey currently holds fourth place on Strava with a time of 3:56.
Edited by Malkael on 22-01-2015 02:25
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 22-01-2015 02:59
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Tour de France Champion
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Honestly I think Hesjedal is a better option for Garmin. He looked stronger yesterday than Haas, even having a 2nd wind, though obviously the whole Garmin team went way too early.
I guess they had to give Haas the leadership though for his home race. Hesjedal lost time working yesterday anyway.
Edited by baseballlover312 on 22-01-2015 03:00
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 07:48
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| Malkael |
Posted on 22-01-2015 04:20
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Sprinter
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The big favourites in each other's wheels as the climb begins. Porte, Evans and Impey sitting pretty right up near the front. Domenico Pozzovivo lurking in a dangerous position as Simon Geschke ups the pace.
Edit: Porte goes! A trio of Evans, Dumoulin and Pozzovivo are able to follow.
Edited by Malkael on 22-01-2015 04:50
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| Malkael |
Posted on 22-01-2015 04:23
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
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Rohan Dennis played that supremely well! 
Edit #1: The original plan BMC had, according to R.Dennis, was for Dennis to act as the attacking foil for Evans. However, poor positioning from Dennis at the base of the climb meant he was unable to achieve his original task. So the plan kind of ended up being reversed by accident really...
Edited by Malkael on 22-01-2015 04:31
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| Strydz |
Posted on 22-01-2015 04:54
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Had a feeling Dennis would get up today but didn't see a BMC 1-2 coming
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| Strydz |
Posted on 22-01-2015 04:57
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baseballlover312 wrote:
Yeah, that jersey looks so good. NOT. It is still disgusting.
It's better than any of the older Gamin jerseys
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 22-01-2015 05:23
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World Champion
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Strydz wrote:
baseballlover312 wrote:
Yeah, that jersey looks so good. NOT. It is still disgusting.
It's better than any of the older Gamin jerseys
No, its worse than literally all of them, except maybe the most recent version they were using for the past year or two. But even then I'd argue Black and Lime green are never a good combo, as its reminds me of those knockoff "glow" jerseys you can get online instead of the "real" jerseys (for north American sports)
In terms of teams with good jerseys, Garmin and Liquigas/Cannondale always had some of the better ones, and the one they have now that they've merged is awful.
Atleast if they wanted to use the Black/Lime green colour scheme they could have done something closer to the Cannondale cyclocross team which has a much better jersey.
Edited by valverde321 on 22-01-2015 05:28
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| Strydz |
Posted on 22-01-2015 06:00
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Team Leader
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They are basically moving billboards Valverde, this jersey archives it's goal perfectly
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 22-01-2015 07:21
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Great Race to watch.  Been supporting BMC, so a 1-2 is great especially with it making everything a lot easier for the team on Willunga.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 22-01-2015 08:26
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Directeur Sportif
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Interesting men upfront there...Jack Haig, Tsgabu Grmay, Ruben Fernandez
looks like Impey struggled a little...he is more the uphill finisher than the one for such a "long" hill
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| MartijnVDD |
Posted on 22-01-2015 08:55
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Breakaway Specialist
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Since I decided for myself that this year I will root for riders from the same country as the race they're racing, I'm glad to see two Australians at the front. =D
Also:
January 21, Thomas De Gendt: "If I finish top 5 tomorrow, I can keep my KoM jersey."
LOL! 
Edited by MartijnVDD on 22-01-2015 08:59
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| tsmoha |
Posted on 22-01-2015 08:57
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Directeur Sportif
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Jack Haig 
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 22-01-2015 08:58
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Team Leader
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tsmoha wrote:
Jack Haig
Will follow him closely as a talent for the future.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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