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2014 Tour Down Under (21 to 26 January)
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| ziga007 |
Posted on 21-01-2014 09:19
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Gerrans can win this race.
Alberto Contador
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 21-01-2014 09:32
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Tour de France Champion
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Too bad Thurau didn't win the stage. Strong young blood he is! |
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-01-2014 12:35
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Tour de France Champion
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Greipel must have been so p****d off today to see Gerrans out sprint him  |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 21-01-2014 12:47
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World Champion
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sutty68 wrote:
Greipel must have been so p****d off today to see Gerrans out sprint him
He must have been pissed off at whoever decided to use him as the protector for Hansen going into the climb, because that's clearly where he lost it today.
I mean if your team has 6 riders in the final selection, it is obvious there were other guys capable of doing the job without harming win chances.
Edited by cio93 on 21-01-2014 12:48
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 21-01-2014 12:49
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Tour de France Champion
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cio93 wrote:
sutty68 wrote:
Greipel must have been so p****d off today to see Gerrans out sprint him
He must have been pissed off at whoever decided to use him as the protector for Hansen going into the climb, because that's clearly where he lost it today.
I mean if your team has 6 riders in the final selection, it is obvious there were other guys capable of doing the job without harming win chances.
Totally agree with you on that point  |
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| Eden95 |
Posted on 21-01-2014 13:27
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Yeah, they had a guaranteed stage win if the had looked after him. I guess the KOM was more important though. Bad move on their part.
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
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| eske |
Posted on 21-01-2014 16:15
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Free Agent
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whitch tv channel can i see the race?
Go Alejandro Valverde
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 21-01-2014 16:18
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World Champion
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Sky.
Or else internet streams. Cyclingfans has almost always streams for every race.
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| Malkael |
Posted on 21-01-2014 16:28
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Sprinter
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Stage 2 - Prospect to Stirling (150 KM)
(Click to Enlarge)
After Simon Gerran's victory on Stage One, the other General Classification contenders are now under pressure to play catch up with the Australian and Stage Two could allow a daring individual to close the time gap to the Ochre Jersey. Tom-Jelte Slagter claimed victory during last year's third stage from Unley to Stirling, crucially however, Stage Two features just three ascents of the climb up to Stirling.
However, with an ascent up Corkscrew Road (The Corkscrew) to follow the next day caution may also take hold among the General Classification contenders. Which could allow a lesser known cyclist to follow in the footsteps of William Clarke (2012) of Drapac Pro Cycling and Michael Matthews (2011) of Orica – GreenEDGE and claim a morale and career boosting stage victory.
(Click to Enlarge)
With the Ochre Jersey now on the shoulders of Gerrans, Orica – GreenEDGE will be expected once again to control the race. The presence of two intermediate sprints, one located at the 25.8 kilometre mark and the other at the 84.6 kilometre mark, means there will be combined total of six second up for grabs. So the peloton may attempt to let a three-man, or larger, breakaway escape to mop up the bonus seconds, denying a General Classification contender a chance to gain precious seconds.
The existence of two King of the Mountain points means we could see Adam Hansen attempt to join the breakaway to protect his King of the Mountains jersey. It seems unlikely, but not improbable, that Greipel will contest the stage victory, so Lotto – Belisol could conceivably dedicate the day to protecting the jersey. The first “KoM” point is positioned just 34.8 kilometre in to Stage Two and the second “KoM” point is located upon Checkers Hill (56.3km).
When the peloton enter the town of Mylor they will proceed up Strathalbyn Road and begin the first of three ascents up to Stirling, approximately, at most, seven kilometres in length. The final three kilometres of the stage are, according to the profile provided, flattish in nature, however, re-watching 2012's finish in Sterling makes the road seem both steeper and more rolling than first thought.
What we can be certain of is that the climb will sap the legs of the bulkier cyclists, with Greipel falling short of contesting the stage victory that day despite his strong form. With a previous victory in Stirling however, one cannot discount someone like Michael Matthews, should he get the nod. Arguably the climb is not difficult enough for the likes of Richie Porte of Team Sky, but the finish could suit a Punchuer in the mould of Simon Gerrans.
Should Simon Gerran's hand be forced, it is difficult to see anyone beating the Victorian to the line in Stirling. However, with a promising fourth place in yesterday's first stage, Diego Ulissi of Lampre – Merida may be a contender to upset Gerrans. While Simon Geschke of Giant – Shimano could be another potential favourite for the stage victory after his wily performance yesterday.
With Maxime Bouet of AG2R Le Mondiale showing he is up for a battle during yesterday's eventful finale, one could not discount the Frenchman from staging an upset. Francesco Gravazzi of Team Astana, Robert Gesink of Team Belkin and Cadel Evans of BMC could also be in contention, after proving their form by avoiding the four second split which caught out Geraint Thomas and others during yesterday's stage.
Surely anyone below Geraint Thomas in the General Classification has to consider risking it, with 15 seconds looking a hefty margin to make up on Gerrans based on his current form. So I would not discount an attack or two from the likes of Frank Schleck of Trek Factory Racing, Rory Sutherland of Team Tinkoff – Saxo, Jan Bakelants of Omega Pharma – Quick-Step, and others.
Should the General Classification contenders err on the side of caution and mark each other out of contention we could see someone out of contention for the overall victory pedal either pedal clear of the pack or claim the stage in a sprint. William Clarke of UniSA could be a possibility for a second stage victory in Stirling after losing 8'14” to the Ochre Jersey of Simon Gerrans.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 13:36
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| Selwink |
Posted on 21-01-2014 16:33
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Nice preview once again here.
Geschke to win I think, but it could just as well be someone else.
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 21-01-2014 21:44
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I must say, after seeing the highlights of the sprint (!) on telly, that Greipel was pushing a much too big gear to be efficient in that sprint. No wonder a puncher with a decent sprint and an appropriated pedalling speed managed to overtake him.
edit : fits better in the proper topic... |
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| Ste117 |
Posted on 21-01-2014 21:49
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Im ready for staying awake battle Round 2 tonight even after 4 hours sleep last night and being in Uni until 5:15pm, nothing a few Vodka Red Bulls can't fix
Hopefully Thomas or Porte will do something today and put up a challenge to Gerrans.
MG Team manager Team Ticos Air Costa Rica
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| CountArach |
Posted on 21-01-2014 22:13
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Grand Tour Champion
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Aquarius wrote:
I must say, after seeing the highlights of the sprint (!) on telly, that Greipel was pushing a much too big gear to be efficient in that sprint. No wonder a puncher with a decent sprint and an appropriated pedalling speed managed to overtake him.
edit : fits better in the proper topic...
Yeah he posted that he was on his twitter just after the race.
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| 547984 |
Posted on 21-01-2014 23:13
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Grand Tour Specialist
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That's what I thought when I watched the top angle. Perhaps he underestimated the road kicking up.
The Lotto train burns off too fast anyhow
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar! |
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| fosforgasXIII |
Posted on 21-01-2014 23:34
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When do they reach the finish line (CET), because I'm not planning to stay up whole night but I would like to see the finish? |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 22-01-2014 01:02
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Sprinter
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Race duration for today is expected to be approximately 3hr 57m.
Some early news for the day, J.J Rojas has pulled out of the race. So no coming around fourth or fifth for the Spaniard. While the breakaway of the day has apparently been formed by Boy Van Poppel of Trek Factory Racing, Will Clarke of Drapac, and Campbell Flakemore of UniSA.
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| 547984 |
Posted on 22-01-2014 01:19
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Will Clarke again?
And no more bonus seconds for Gerrans at the intermediates then.
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar! |
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| LeaNzinga |
Posted on 22-01-2014 01:22
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so when does the race starts (UK time)? sorry tried look if someone already posted it, but cant seem to find it
for my expectations Gerrans take his second win today, just have to look out for attacks in the last 5k 
> AG2R La Mondiale < >Havre Athletic Club< >Jean-Christophe Peraud<
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| 547984 |
Posted on 22-01-2014 01:41
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Grand Tour Specialist
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Race has obviously already started. You can follow it on their twitter.
TV Coverage starts in just under an hour
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar! |
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| Malkael |
Posted on 22-01-2014 01:44
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Sprinter
Posts: 1697
Joined: 02-08-2010
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TV Coverage and the Livestream, in Australia, starts in about 45 minutes. So possibly the same for Sky in the UK since they use the same feed (IIRC).
Edited by Malkael on 22-01-2014 01:54
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