|
Herald Sun Tour - Discussion
|
| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 03-06-2024 02:11
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3263
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
|
 Herald Sun Tour
The Herald Sun Tour is the CT peloton’s chance to experience Australian hospitality, but only if you are a sprinter or time trial rider. The sprinters get 4 stages to fight over the points jersey and the TTers get one stage (stage 4) to fight over the GC - ia 21k TT between Graytown and Nagambie. Splits on the sprint stages could also impact the GC.
The race has a long history going back to 2009 and a number of famous winners like Cadel Evans, Jose Alarcon and Michael Rogers. The last 3 editions have been won by somewhat less famous riders like Szymon Rikita, Benoit Cosnefroy and Tom Dumoulin. The first two have gone on to greater things, Cosnefroy recently winning the PT Tour of Northern Europe. But Domoulin is back here in Australia trying to become the first two-time winner of this race.
And he has a good chance to do that as he is among the best time trialist at the race:
| Rider | FL | TT | PR | RS |  Dumoulin | 70 | 77 | 77 | 75 | | Predatsch | 69 | 77 | 77 | 77 |  Hamza | 74 | 76 | 79 | 73 |  Hennis | 69 | 76 | 76 | 72 |  Downey | 72 | 76 | 76 | 72 | | Campbell | 74 | 76 | 75 | 68 | | Cheyne | 73 | 76 | 75 | 75 |  Bevin | 68 | 76 | 72 | 64 |  Malori | 74 | 75 | 75 | 67 | | Oka | 73 | 74 | 79 | 72 | | Kelly | 73 | 74 | 76 | 73 |  Kireva | 74 | 74 | 75 | 74 | | Scotson | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 |  Archbold | 70 | 74 | 64 | 66 |
A relatively weak field as a number of the top TTers in the division miss out. Gjensidige on the startlist but their big guns didn’t have the race days to come here. Tafjord not present. The beneficiaries will be Team Würth MODYF, who have the top two on the start list, Podium Ambition and PCT outfit Glanbia, who also have two each in the top 7. Hamza and the SEE Turtles are the only other team to crack the top 7. Bevin will hope to geta the top placing for the other PCT team, Spark, while the veteran Malori leads JEWA TIROL.
But most of the stages will be reserved for a battle among the sprinters. Top riders there are:
| Rider | FL | SP | AC | RS |  Lo Cicero | 68 | 80 | 72 | 57 | | Minali | 73 | 79 | 79 | 74 |  Krieger | 71 | 79 | 79 | 74 |  Moser | 71 | 79 | 77 | 67 | | Havik | 73 | 79 | 76 | 68 |  Bouhanni | 73 | 79 | 75 | 67 | | Scully | 73 | 78 | 79 | 69 | | Liepins | 73 | 78 | 79 | 68 | | Scott | 72 | 78 | 78 | 71 | | Altanzul | 72 | 78 | 75 | 73 | | Bauhaus | 74 | 78 | 75 | 65 |
Lo Cicero is the fastest but has trouble getting up to speed these days. The best all-round men are Minali and Krieger. Minali means Team Würth has a contender for the win on every stage, but he has not been able to deliver much this year. Tivani, Habtom, and Major are just off the list but should also be players in the sprints. Tivani coming off a huge performance in the Tour of America.
Lo Cicero brings a competent leadout with Stepniak and Bewley while Krieger can rely on Havik and Van Uden. Minali will need to surf the wheels as his support is more limited.
Startlist
 
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 03-06-2024 05:20
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Well, that's an interesting startlist! Lots of promotion chaisng teams in action. Major's been decent this year, lets hope for one more big race from him. Whilst Campbell could steal the top T3A rider spot in the rankings if he races strong. Fun times.
|
| |
|
|
| Ezeefreak |
Posted on 03-06-2024 05:32
|
Domestique
Posts: 555
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 300.00
|
Oh god, if I see my riders here that high in the contender lists I fear already a great disappointment 
Maybe they can surprise me though but so far they are much better on paper than in the races. Would be great if we could set a little Highlight for the end of the season so we can use that as motivation for next year.
|
| |
|
|
| Fabianski |
Posted on 03-06-2024 08:45
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4669
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
|
Hum... That's a pretty surprising startlist. Only 2 out of CT's 8 77+ TTers are in what is CT's main GC race for TTers - with the Top 3 even missing out completely 
Which is obviously big news for Würth - if their TTers deliver, and if they can keep the pack together on the sprint stages.
On the other hand, it's pretty bad news for Tafjord, who completely miss out and will have to bet on the hills - and even worse for Gjensidige, who are here but without the division's TT superstar...
Looking like a good chance for Podium Ambition to make their statement in the promotion fight (even though not bringing Vanderpool is a bit surprising, too), and for both Würth and the Turtles in the Top 10 fight. As for Glanbia, didn't realize they still had a C2 race left, but at least it could turn out being a decent one for them.
Sprinter-wise, Minali could deliver a good points haul again, but he's been really bad so far. Krieger and Moser might be more consistent, and so could Liepins. Should be some wide open sprints!
Good luck to everyone, and thanks for the preview!
|
| |
|
|
| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 03-06-2024 09:59
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7295
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
|
Really excited for this. Scott is here having already won a C2 stage I’m hoping he can do it again! And Bevin has done well so far in TTs this season so let’s hope he keeps going! Keen for this!
|
| |
|
|
| Laurens147 |
Posted on 03-06-2024 10:40
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1123
Joined: 26-04-2020
PCM$: 800.00
|
Thanks UU for the preview! 
From my perspective I hope Liepins can show himself in the sprints, stage win would be great. And Kireva should aim for a top-10 in GC, in this weaker field than expected.
Just like Fabi, I thought Tafjord and Gjensidige could bring their TT'ers. Podium Ambition could score big in the promotion fight if they play their cards right. Also looking forward to Würth and Turtles dominating the top places in the TT.
Good luck everybody!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
|
| |
|
|
| Ezeefreak |
Posted on 04-06-2024 05:23
|
Domestique
Posts: 555
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 300.00
|
Thanks for the report UU!
That was a classic Minali! At least from this season thats what we got so far, high expectations and at best mediocre results. I guess this was a bit too hard for him though so we still have hopes for the easier stages.
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 04-06-2024 05:37
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
That seems about right, nearly fumbling our promotion battle on a flat sprint stage
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 23-11-2024 13:27
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| Laurens147 |
Posted on 04-06-2024 09:10
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1123
Joined: 26-04-2020
PCM$: 800.00
|
Great start from Liepins 
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
|
| |
|
|
| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 04-06-2024 09:16
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1120
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Congrats to Laurens, though it's a bit rough to even win when Chiarello's not there 
Good choice from the team to send Le Gac in the break and snatch the KoM lead. Hopefully he's there again tomorrow to increase his lead in the classification as it's probably our best bet for some reasonable points here.
|
| |
|
|
| Bjartne |
Posted on 04-06-2024 11:11
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
|
Thank you Ulrich Ulrichsen!
I have never been so nervous watching a race which I'm not participating in.
Bouhanni will surely continue fighting for wins and it's typical our luck that both Hennis and Campbell has +5 day form on stage 4...
I'm totally fine with Kireva winning the TT, Liepins wins everything else and Crabbe getting 500 points from this race  |
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 04-06-2024 13:15
|
Neo-Pro
Posts: 370
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 10300.00
|
Good start by the team. Active in shutting down the break, and getting a top-3. Let's see how many points we can score here
|
| |
|
|
| Ezeefreak |
Posted on 05-06-2024 05:11
|
Domestique
Posts: 555
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 300.00
|
Miracles happen!!!!!! We are in the last month of the season and Minali finally won!!! He was among the favorites almost every race he attended and couldnt deliver but finally!
We look forward to the next stages now and even though we are already satisfied with this result.
Thanks for the report of this Miracle UU!
|
| |
|
|
| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 05-06-2024 07:20
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11676
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
|
So glad Minali finally delivered!!
|
| |
|
|
| Laurens147 |
Posted on 05-06-2024 08:03
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1123
Joined: 26-04-2020
PCM$: 800.00
|
Congrats Ezeefreak 
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
|
| |
|
|
| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 05-06-2024 14:11
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1120
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Congrats Ezee, Minali finally delivers! And the GC could also be a huge success with Dumoulin and Predatsch as the best TTers at the start. With the pretty consistent TT results this season this could actually be a huge score incoming.
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 05-06-2024 17:35
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
Better stage, less panic, and Major was right in there. Now for the big deal stage.
|
| |
|
|
| Ezeefreak |
Posted on 06-06-2024 07:04
|
Domestique
Posts: 555
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 300.00
|
Miracles doesnt happen every day but with a 4th i can be fine too. Liepins being strong here, congrats.
Thanks for the report again!
|
| |
|
|
| Laurens147 |
Posted on 06-06-2024 08:17
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1123
Joined: 26-04-2020
PCM$: 800.00
|
Bjartne wrote:
I'm totally fine with Kireva winning the TT, Liepins wins everything else and Crabbe getting 500 points from this race
Liepins has heard your comments Didn't have high hopes when I saw that we were leading out the pack. But another great win from him 
Thanks UU for the report!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
|
| |
|
|
| DarkWolf |
Posted on 06-06-2024 08:40
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1025
Joined: 21-09-2020
PCM$: 700.00
|
I know we could have scored better elsewhere with Jensen, but my project needed further experience points and so, here we are. As a matter of fact some of my riders are just barely going above their needed exp points to reach their new level. So, although I hoped the first stage would have a more challenging finish, so Jensen could do something there it was not the case. No matter, good to see Samudio being active and even better to see the new level of my core Central American riders for the season ahead. A bit disappointed here, but just a bit, since I see my hopes rising high with the first fruits of a 3 years work beginning to ripe.
Thank you for the reports and congratulations to all the winners!
|
| |
|
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
