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Tour Down Under
Preview |
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The 2014 World Tour season again
gets underway at the Tour Down Under. Over the past few years
the race has been moving away from one for the sprinters to
one for the puncheurs and climbers and that continues this
year.
One of the strongest fields ever including Australia's top
three riders 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans, 2013
Paris-Nice winner Richie Porte and five time Grand Tour Stage
winner and 2013 Yellow Jersey wearer Simon Gerrans. Tour de
France stage winners and two of the worlds top sprinters Andre
Greipel and Marcel Kittel both return.
Stage profiles available
here and start list
here.
Stage Previews
Stage 1
Stage 1 has traditionally been a stage for the sprinters but
this year it includes the Menglers Hill about 14km from the
finish. The climb at just over 1km at around an 8% gradient is
likely to put many of the pure sprinters under pressure and
off the back. The short distance to the finish will make it
hard for anyone to rejoin. The race may not be won today but
it could catch some GC contenders out. After a descent there
is another rise within a few km of the finish before a
relatively flat run in to the line.
Names likely to feature in a more select finish include
Gerrans, Matthews, Rowe, Thomas, Gasparotto, Rojas, Ulissi,
Tanner, Sulzberger and Ewan.
Stage 2
Stage two features the traditional finish in Stirling but
unlike in past years, there are only two laps of the finishing
circuit. The entire stage is undulating with few flat roads.
While we have seen bunch sprints in the past the nature of the
course is more suited to a break or a sprint from a more elite
group. Michael Matthews won in 2011, won the bunch sprint to
take 2nd in 2012 and after missing the race last year expect
him to feature again today. Tom-Jelte Slagter won last year
after getting the jump on the bunch. Greipel and Goss have
both been podium finishers in the past but expect names
similar to stage one should it end in a sprint from a group.
Stage 3
Last year the race introduced the Corkscrew climb and it
returns again this year. The stage is longer at 145km compared
to the 116km of last year. The stage is slightly less
undulating than the previous days but the roads starts
climbing almost immediately. The deciding point of the stage
will be the Corkscrew climb (2.5km at up to 15%). Last year
Geraint Thomas attacked on Corkscrew before being joined by
George Bennett, Ben Hermans and Javier Moreno but Thomas
kicked early and held off to the finish. Expect to see the big
names attack on the Corkscrew, a small group or an individual
with around 20-30 seconds at the top should hold on to the
finish.
Names to watch: Thomas, Gerrans, Dennis, Moreno, Porte, Evans,
Schleck, Bakelants, Gesink, Bennett, Lapthorne, Haig, Rojas,
Ulissi, Gasparotto, Visconti and Grivko.
Stage 4
The Tour Down Under last came to Victor Harbor in 2010 with
Andre Greipel the stage winner. The stage again starts to
climb immediately. There is a small rise inside the final 10km
but nothing that should bother the sprinters. Victor Harbor is
a fast and technical finish and is possibly the first real
chance for the sprinters.
Names to watch: Greipel, Goss, Matthews, Viviani, Ewan, Zabel,
Kittel, Von Hoff, D van Poppel, Sutton, Renshaw, Fenn, Rojas,
Lobato and Ferrari.
Stage 5
As with the previous two years the penultimate stage finishes
on top of Old Willunga Hill. In 2012 Valverde won ahead of
Gerrans and last year Gerrans took the win ahead of overall
winner Tom-Jelte Slagter. The stage has been decisive the past
two years in deciding the overall and you can expect that
again.
Names to watch: Gerrans, Evans, Porte, Dennis, Moreno,
Bakelants, Haig, Ulissi, Hermans, Gesink, Bennett, Lapthorne,
Grivko, Gasparotto, Visconti, Bouet, Schleck, and Thomas.
Stage 6
As is traditional the final stage is a circuit around the
Adelaide CBD. A new course for 2014 that is longer at 4.75km
and more technical. With fewer opportunities for the sprinters
this year expect to see a hotly contested finish.
Names to watch: Greipel, Goss, Matthews, Viviani, Ewan, Zabel,
Kittel, Von Hoff, D van Poppel, Sutton, Renshaw, Fenn, Rojas,
Lobato and Ferrari.
The Contenders - Overall
Simon Gerrans
Gerrans is one of three two-time winners and is hoping to
becoming the first to take a third. Took his second overall
victory in GreenEDGE's debut in 2012, allergies took him out
of contention last year but he bounced back to win the stage
up Old Willunga Hill. Had one of his best seasons in 2013
winning two stages (1 TTT) and wearing the Yellow Jersey at
the Tour de France. Also took stage wins at Volta a Catalunya
and Tour of the Basque Country. Gerrans started 2014 off with
a bang winning the National Championships for a second time
ahead of Evans and Porte. Backed by a very strong
ORICA-GreenEDGE squad of Clarke, Goss, Hayman, Impey, Matthews
and Durbridge who will put everything on the line for him.
Known for timing his form to perfection expect Gerrans to be
fighting for the win.
Cadel Evans
Riding for the first time since his historic Tour de France
win Evans will be a strong contender for the overall victory.
Has never won the race but has won a stage, young rider and
mountain classifications in the past. Evans started the year
with a very impressive second at the National Championships
showing his form is already good. With the Giro his big target
don't expect him to be at his best however the National
Championships show he will be competitive. Loyal domestiques
Brent Bookwalter, Steve Morabito and Amael Moinard provide
crucial support as does Ben Hermans (5th last year).
Richie Porte
The man touted as Australia's next Grand Tour contender was
very aggressive in the final laps of the National
Championships last weekend. Finished third but like Evans
showed his form is good. Had a breakthrough year in 2013
winning two stages and the overall at Paris Nice and finishing
2nd at Critérium International, Tour of the Basque Country and
Critérium du Dauphiné. The hillier nature of the route this
year is more suited to Porte but the climbs are not long
enough for him to really shine. Sky also has another options
in Geraint Thomas. Like Evans the Giro is his major goal so is
yet to hit peak form.
Rohan Dennis
In his first year as a professional Dennis won a stage and the
overall at the Tour of Alberta and was the best young rider
and 8th overall at the Critérium du Dauphiné. As one of
Australia's top up and coming riders Dennis took 5th overall
riding for UniSA in 2012. Dennis has improved greatly since
then and is no longer riding with limited support. Was a
favourite last year but illness forced him to withdraw before
the start. This year Garmin-Sharp brings one of the strongest
teams to support him including Jack Bauer, Nathan Haas, Thomas
Dekker, Lachlan Morton, Caleb Fairly and Steele Von Hoff.
Crashed in the time trial at the National Championships but
was strong early in the road race before withdrawing to
recover for Down Under.
Javier Moreno
Having finished inside the top 10 on his first two appearances
Moreno returns to lead a strong Movistar team. Moreno finished
second last year, taking second on stage 2 (corkscrew), sixth
on the stage in to Stirling, third up Old Willunga Hill and
also claimed the Mountains Classification. Backed by a strong
team including Jose Joaquin Rojas, Giovanni Visconti and Ruben
Plaza.
Robert Gesink
Gesink had a relatively quiet year by his standards in 2013
with his only win coming at the back end of the season in
Quebec. The changes to the course over the past few years have
made the race more suited to Gesink. A winner at both the GP
Quebec and Montreal show the Tour Down Under parcours suit
him. With the Tour de France a big goal (previously 5th
overall) don't expect him to be in peak form him. Has strong
support from the likes of Jack Bobridge, Stef Clement and
David Tanner.
Jan Bakelants
After a standout 2013 and a new team expect Bakelants to
continue to develop. Was 3rd at the Tour de Luxembourg and 4th
Eneco Tour, races with similar parcours. His biggest victory
came in stage 2 of the Tour de France where he held of a
chasing peloton to take the win and wear yellow for two
stages. Last rode the race back in 2012 where he finished 6th.
A genuine podium contender but the team also brings a strong
leadout for Mark Renshaw limiting his support.
George Bennett
Kiwi climber George Bennett finished 15th last year just over
one minute back. Aggressive last year on the corkscrew climb
he is likely to go on the attack again. Had a strong finish to
2013 with 8th at the USA Pro Challenge and 11th in Utah. Made
the move to Cannondale over the off season and while they
bring a strong team he shares leadership with sprinter Elia
Viviani.
Jack Haig
The 2013 Australian National Road Series winner (beat Nathan
Earle now Sky) is another of Australia's promising talents. A
very strong climber especially over the shorter climbs
featured in the race. Riding for the UniSA squad means his
support will be split with Caleb Ewan. A strong performance
here could see Haig further on his way to a pro contract.
Anthony Roux
Roux started 2013 strongly with 3rd at Etoile de Bessèges and
6th at Trofeo Laigueglia and then finished off the season
strongly with a stage win and three other top 5 finishes at
Vuelta a Burgos. Roux can climb well and has a fast finish so
should be a name to watch.
Maxime Bouet
Bouet had a strong season in 2013 including winning a stage
and finishing 3rd overall at the Giro del Trentino. Took 7th
at Critérium International and 10th in Oman as well as top 25
finishes at Paris-Nice, Tour de Suisse and Beijing.
Diego Ulissi
Ulissi has said he is not going to ride GC but in preparation
for other races. This is the same for a lot of riders so while
the win is probably out of the question a strong performance
cannot be discounted. Took a stage and the overall at
Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali and finished 7th at
Paris-Nice. Finished off 2013 strong by winning Milano-Torino,
Coppa Sabatini and Giro dell'Emilia and 2nd at GP Costa Degli
Etruschi.
Rafael Valls Ferri
Just missed out on the top 10 last year in 12th. After his
Vacansoleil-DCM squad ended Lampre-Merida gave him a lifeline
with a one-year contract. Knowing he needs a strong year to
secure a new contract expect to see him motivated to start
well and secure some World Tour points early.
Enrico Gasparotto
Stage two and five are likely to prove crucial in deciding the
overall win and both are suited to Gasparotto. Won Amstel Gold
Race in 2012 and was 3rd in Liège-Bastogne-Liège before
finishing top 10 in both again this year. Backed by a strong
team including Grivko, Gavazzi and Westra.
Other names to watch include Nicki Sorensen, Simon Geschke,
Rory Sutherland, Jay McCarthy, Andriy Grivko, Jussi Veikkanen,
Kenny Elissonde, Maxim Belkov, Frank Schleck and Bradley
Linfield.
The Contenders - Sprinters
Andre Greipel
The king of the sprints at the Tour Down Under returns for the
seventh year in a row. Holds the record of 14 stage wins. His
Lotto-Belisol team have one of the strongest trains in the
peloton but is without Greg Henderson due to injury. Fewer
opportunities for the sprinters this year but Greipel is still
the favourite to pick up a couple of stage victories.
Marcel Kittel
Took 15 victories in 2013 including four at the Tour de
France. Kittel raced here last year but was never close to the
mark with his best finish and only stage inside the top 10 a
6th on Stage 4. It took some time for the train of then
Argos-Shimano to get it right in 2013 but once it did it was
up there with the best.
Matt Goss
In his two years with Orica-GreenEDGE has taken just two
individual victories. On the last year of his contract and
with Leigh Howard, Michael Matthews and later in the year
Caleb Ewan coming up an early victory is important. His stage
win at the Bay Crits should boost his confidence.
Michael Matthews
Has had some back injuries the past two weeks and with bigger
goals later in the season Matthews may not be at his best.
Took four wins last year including two at the Vuelta, Matthews
will hope to improve on that this year. Since joining
Orica-GreenEDGE he has returned to his best and stage two in
Stirling will bring back memories.
Elia Viviani
A slow start to 2013 with his first victory not coming until
the Critérium du Dauphiné in June. Took another four victories
in the second half of the season. An early victory will give
him confidence as he looks towards the Giro.
Steele Von Hoff
The new Australian Criterium Champion enters his second year
and will hope to get an early win. Took eight top five
finishes last year but never quite managed to reach the top
step of the podium at a UCI race. An early win will see him
secure more support from his team throughout the year.
Roberto Ferrari
After taking a stage of the Giro in 2012 ahead of Mark
Cavendish much was expected after he signed with Lampre-Merida
but he didn't take a single victory.
Mark Renshaw
Returns to Mark Cavendish's side after two years trying to
become a main sprinter himself. Took two victories and a
number of podiums last year but never really broke out as a
sprinter. Will spend most of the year leading out Cavendish
but has an opportunity for himself here.
Chris Sutton
A former stage winner at the Tour Down Under and also a winner
of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and a stage of the Vuelta. With
Sky's attention normally on GC results their sprinters get
limited support. His last win came at the end of 2011 and an
early win might see him given more support throughout the
year. With the focus on Porte for the overall support in the
sprints may be limited.
Jonathan Cantwell
A prolific winner in Australia, Asia and the US but after two
years with Saxo-Tinkoff (now Tinkoff-Saxo) Cantwell has
returned to Australia with Drapac. Cantwell will have strong
support from his team and in a home race will be looking for a
strong result.
Caleb Ewan
Took seven victories last year as a U23 including two at the
Tour de l'Avenir. Riding for the UniSA squad sees him ride his
first World Tour Race. Has a strong train at his disposal
including Anthony Giacoppo, Niel van der Ploeg, Mark O'Brien
and Campbell Flakemore. Has beaten some of Australian's
fastest sprinters but this is his first big test
Rick Zabel
Won the U23 Ronde van Vlaanderen last year but when was up
against Caleb Ewan was never able to beat him. Has joined BMC
but with the teams main goal Cadel Evans he will be given
limited opportunities and support.
Other names to watch include Andy Fenn, Graeme Brown, Jose
Joaquin Rojas, Daryl Impey, Nikias Arndt and Neil van der
Ploeg. |
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