Welcome to Adelaide for the fourth Man Game Down Under Classic, one of the traditional curtain raisers here in Australia. Defending champion Allan Davis is here with his rebranded team Hollister, as is 2010 Down Under Classic champion Eric Mohs with his infamous Pokerstars green train. Though both this year will have to compete with last year's Tour de France Green jersey Danielle Bennati of Puma - SAP.
The Germans have three further threats in Gerald Ciolek (Team Bianchi), Andre Greipel(Team WWE) and Heinrich Haussler (Trilux-Falke). The renewed interest in German cycling could well be rewarded early on in the season here. The French seem neglected, at least Focussed Cycling are still carrying the flag and Mathieu Drujon may surprise.
The Italian's will obvious expect to be cheering Bennati, but the Italian squads of Ferrari and Vespa have interests through Rizza (Ferrari) and Gatto (Vespa), also watch out for the fast finishing Chicchi of Saab Scania. Dutch team Koppert make their season debut with Dekkers and Friere leading their chances.
The home nation have other outside bets other than Davis with Docker (Cyclevox), Brown (Jayco RB) and Cooke (Oz Cycling). Meanwhile T.CS Bank will look for another solid showing through Nikolai Markov and Tomas Vaitkus (also Cyclevox) needs mentioning. Final mentions goes to the exotic bunch of riders bought here by Meiji Fuji and Emu Export. The Japanese have possibilities perhaps with Manan or Arashiro, whereas Emu export appear to be attempting the unlikely breakaway victory.
Spoiler
Puma
1. E. Gasparotto
2. J. Bar
3. D. Bennati
4. J. Bol
5. M. Delage
6. T. Kvist
7. T. Martin
8. G. Meersman
Trilux
11. H. Haussler
12. P. Bercz
13. H. Duyn
14. S. Forke
15. T. Fothen
16. I. Keisse
17. R. Weissinger
18. R. Zepunkte
Cyclevox
21. T. Vaitkus
22. G. Briggs
23. M. Docker
24. C. McConvey
25. E. Oliphant
26. C. Opie
27. S. Thwaites
28. P. Williams
Hollister
31. A. Davis
32. R. Caminiti
33. Z. Dempster
34. J. Murphy
35. A. Proni
36. R. Sambris
37. S. Scheirlinckx
38. B. Selander
Tinkoff
41. A. Kolobnev
42. P. Brutt
43. D. Galimzyanov
44. P. Korzh
45. D. Kozontchuk
46. A. Markov
47. A. Timofeev
48. N. Trusov
Bianchi
51. F. Rabon
52. G. Ciolek
53. W. Gustov
54. J. Hochmann
55. G. Lequatre
56. A. Matzbacher
57. F. Odebrecht
58. P. Rooijakkers
Saab
61. K. Van Hummel
62. N. Aistrup
63. M. Brammeier
64. F. Chicchi
65. T. Gudsell
66. L. Persson
67. P. Renäng
68. M. Van Aelbroeck
Koppert
71. B. Traksel
72. H. Dekkers
73. O. Freire
74. J. Hopman
75. P. Ligthart
76. P. Möhlmann
77. W. Stroetinga
78. T. Veelers
Red Bull
81. J. Giaux
82. G. Brown
83. J. Cooper
84. A. Hansen
85. A. Jelloul
86. C. Manarelli
87. M. Priamo
88. C. Sutton
Meiji
91. Y. Arashiro
92. J. Bauer
93. J. Crawford
94. K. Itami
95. HT. Kwok
96. A. Manan
97. T. Scully
98. G. Yamamoto
Vespa
101. M. Quinziato
102. N. Arndt
103. M. Bono
104. A. Cappelle
105. O. Gatto
106. M. Gavazzi
107. A. Petrie-Armstrong
108. I. Speirs
Oz
111. M. Renshaw
112. J. Bobridge
113. J. Clarke
114. S. Clarke
115. B. Cooke
116. W. Ford
117. A. Haidar Anuawar
118. M. Matthews
WWE
121. A. Greipel
122. J. Becerra
123. A. Diniz
124. F. Jeandesbosz
125. J. Mayo
126. B. Tankink
127. D. Veilleux
128. M. Vingerling
Calling it a hill is like calling a speed bump a mountain, it is not noticeable at all when playing.
A 50 hill sprinter can easily make it to the finish, and win the race.
The real factor to worry about - one that Smowz hasnt mentioned - is crashes. With 3 tight left hand turns, and parts of the circuit not having the widest of roads (width 2), theres the real possibility that a crash would block everyone in the peloton riding behind the crash, and take all of those riders out of the race, whether they crashed or not.
It will be interesting to see how the AI reacts with so many possible sprint trains.
Will most teams try to get their own team or do they hang on the strongest. (Puma, Pokerstars, Jayco and Koppert for example)
Yup, I'm really looking forward to see the sprint preparations.
With many strong sprinters and support squads + the narrow roads, it will be interesting to see which team will be at the front when the sprint begins (and if that was actually a good idea).
By the way: where's Rothaus, roturn? I was sure to see Vantomme here, and I promised my riders Tannenzäpfle after the race Edited by cio93 on 02-08-2011 00:37
I decided to skip the Australian races although I really like them. Vantomme would be a top5 contender here, but he will get his chance somewhere else.
If Benatti wins, I will surely send you a box of Tannenzäpfle.
But it will be hard against Pokerstars and Davis especially.
Edited by roturn on 02-08-2011 00:38
Would be amazing in Chicchi managed to get a podium place, with leadout help from Van Aelbroeck, Aistrup, Brammeier and Van Hummel. But that may not be the strongest train maybe better to stay at someoneelses wheel.
Hadn't expected Bennati here.. strong competition.. I still hope for Cooke to show something good here It's one of our most important races and our first Season Goal as well: Top-5! Please! Come on, Lleyt.. ah, Baden!!
Edited by tsmoha on 02-08-2011 07:35
It's one of our most important races and our first Season Goal as well: Top-5! Please! Come on, Lleyt.. ah, Baden!!
(I root for my old riders!)
