Tour Down Under

Yup, you hit it on the head. A bit early for a race which has become increasingly competitive (IIRC).

Italian riders seem to prefer starting at Langkawi or Qatar, for whatever reason (probably a bit later).

Yeah, not the TDF squads but still some pretty big names, Classic Winners, TDF stage winners, etc.

Will be worth a look for those of us who can get over there.

Eagle of Toledo said:

Yeah, not the TDF squads but still some pretty big names, Classic Winners, TDF stage winners, etc.

Will be worth a look for those of us who can get over there.

So who's everyones tip for the overall win. I think O'grady or maybe even Mathew Loyd

Scotttri said:

So who's everyones tip for the overall win. I think O'grady or maybe even Mathew Loyd

Yeah..I think I will stick to the Aussies as well....Just more motivation for them to win on home turf at such an early stage in everyone's season.

Scotttri said:

So who's everyones tip for the overall win. I think O'grady or maybe even Mathew Loyd

O'Grady could definitely win it, but it's probably not lumpy enough for Lloyd unless he has improved in the sprints where a lot of time can be clawed back.

The TDU sometimes throws up some unexpected winners. Some of the EU-based pros are barely out of their winter break with wildly varying levels of form, the sometimes 40 deg heat, lack of long and serious climbs, super-fit local riders who have been racing the crits all summer long anxious to impress and rip the legs off the EU pros, among other variables makes for an interesting race.

Crankyfeet said:

The prologue plus six stage Tour Down Under gets underway on January 20th. Here's the start list.

Apart from some Aussie names, these are not the A team riders, which is understandable. UCI can lead the horse to water, but can't force it to drink.

Any comments?

Where is there a decent course description? Altitude profile? Is the altitude profile even needed?

Bro Deal said:

Where is there a decent course description? Altitude profile? Is the altitude profile even needed?

Maps and profiles

flat is the word

Crankyfeet said:

The prologue plus six stage Tour Down Under gets underway on January 20th. Here's the start list.

Apart from some Aussie names, these are not the A team riders, which is understandable. UCI can lead the horse to water, but can't force it to drink.

Any comments?

CyclingWeekly agrees with you.

earth_dweller said:

Maps and profiles

flat is the word

I've never followed the TdU. How is victory usually accomplished? Sprint bonuses or the best rider of a surviving break?

You would think there would be a transfer over to New Zealand for a mountain stage. :p

ProTour Stars Snub TdU

cyclingweekly.co.ukProTour stars snub Tour Down Under article 173424.htmlOpen ↗

EDIT: Whoops, link already posted. :o:o

Bro Deal said:

I've never followed the TdU. How is victory usually accomplished? Sprint bonuses or the best rider of a surviving break?

You would think there would be a transfer over to New Zealand for a mountain stage. :p

The race could be run from Sydney or Melbourne and incorporate some good hill/mountain climbs (not the "Alps", but not a lump on the plains either). But it seems like Adelaide/South Australia own the event.

Crankyfeet said:

The race could be run from Sydney or Melbourne and incorporate some good hill/mountain climbs (not the "Alps", but not a lump on the plains either). But it seems like Adelaide/South Australia own the event.

I think that's one of its limiting factors. To be a true national tour (as its name would seem to suggest) it would have to venture out of Adelaide and its surrounds, but the route is the same every year. Yes, as you say there are plenty of good long climbs in Victoria that could sort the field out, Mt. Baw Baw, Lake Mountain, Mt Hotham, etc.

Bro Deal said:

Where is there a decent course description? Altitude profile? Is the altitude profile even needed?

Down Under Classic Sunday 20 January 2008Glenelg
20 January / 50.00 kilometer
Welcome to all at the Tour Down Under 2008! The UCI ProTour kicks off, the first time outside European borders. The Australian summer has the honour of being the decor of an attempt to popularise Australia as an international touristic haven, besides increasing the value of the cycling sport locally. Many activities are organised around the race: You can meet the most friendly dolphins in the world or venture on the ocean during a thrillingly fast jet-ski ride. On land however it's about cycling, that's why you logged on in the first place.

The first stage, or rather 'stage zero', is a strange one. It won't count in the TDU classifications and is presented as a classic, but in fact it's more like a short crit on a completely flat surface. So we're looking for an independent winner. Fifty kilometers of going all out on a parcours of two kilometers in total. Last year, Mark Renshaw was the first to cross the finishline in just over one hour (1'03"😉, so this 'classic' won't take very long at all.

As a matter of fact the circuit is a series of four left turns, with just one right turn halfway through. That's it. The major problem will be the 180 degree turn on the Anzac Highway, completely destroying the pace of the peloton at that point. A risk-taking 'mouse' can try taking advantage of this situation and plan an escape there in an attempt to stay out of the 130 plus strong cat's claws. The question is also if the sprinters will be happy with the last left turn at less than two hundred meters before the line, getting trains organised will be a hell of a job!

While racing, five premiums are divided on the finishline after every five laps on the circuit, all organised for the spectators. The Aussies want to see a spectacle, so the sponsor is quickly found in this very sportminded (sportmad?) country. A surplus of exciting sprints is to be expected along the way, yet you can choose who will be among the first riders to arrive at the finishline after fifty kilometers of racing. Tomorrow there's no racing while the Tour Down Under gets ready for the real kick-off one day later!

Crankyfeet said:

The prologue plus six stage Tour Down Under gets underway on January 20th. Here's the start list.

Apart from some Aussie names, these are not the A team riders, which is understandable. UCI can lead the horse to water, but can't force it to drink.

Any comments?

We will publish a riders diary with heinrich haussler (Gerolsteiner)

Good to see the TDU get ProTour status : given the number of Aussies who have won major races over the last 2 decades.

Re: 2008 TDU route - like others here, I would like to see the route contain some climbs.
Having said that, I'm not familiar enough with Oz geography to suggest a modified route that could take in more climbs.

As others have suggested here , I'd have to go for an overall Aussie winner and I think that winner will be O'Grady.
Kiss of death : Stuey.

cyclingheroes said:

We will publish a riders diary with heinrich haussler (Gerolsteiner)

Is there any truth that he will be reverting to Aussie citizenship?

should we "stick" this thread for the duration of the TDU?
or is there insufficient levels of interest??

limerickman said:

Good to see the TDU get ProTour status : given the number of Aussies who have won major races over the last 2 decades.

Re: 2008 TDU route - like others here, I would like to see the route contain some climbs.
Having said that, I'm not familiar enough with Oz geography to suggest a modified route that could take in more climbs.

As others have suggested here , I'd have to go for an overall Aussie winner and I think that winner will be O'Grady.
Kiss of death : Stuey.

The TDU should never have received protour status IMO. This is not to disparage the $$$ commitment and excellent organisation. Its just too early in the year to be taken seriously by the Euros who will always treat it as a training race. The Tour of California, Langkawi and Tour of Qatar are in the same boat.

Adelaide has some decent hills nearby but not enough to have a truly varied route. In any case, its too early in the year to have a super tough route and is too farkin hot in SA in January. If the route was harder no europeans would come.

classic1 said:

Is there any truth that he will be reverting to Aussie citizenship?

I hope to see him Tuesday, I will ask.