Looking for a spot on the Aussie worlds team? I would say your best bet is to avoid winning a stage at the ENECO Tour. Robbie McEwen—wins stage one, not invited. Jack Bobridge—wins Stage 5, not invited. Granted, McEwen’s been having the worst season of his long career with just one other win, and that’s still one more than Bobridge had notched (before yesterday) since turning pro.
With the official selection just hours away, some fairly serious brain cells are being burnt in pursuit of diving the home team’s startlist at the over-a-month-away World Championships—which is kind of amazing. It wasn’t too long ago that this part of the season was a wasteland, people begging for the Vuelta to bring something back into the headlines, with the World Title as something of an afterthought.
In 2005, I even attributed part of the Rainbow Curse to the falling stature of Worlds among cyclists—even the great one-day riders seemed focused on the Tour, and only the historically-snubbed made a concerted effort for lArc-en-Ciel. Safe to say things have turned around a bit since then.
While my thoughts on competition along national lines remains unchanged, I have to say I do enjoy the additional wrinkle national squads add to the UCI’s big event. We could very likely see three riders from the same squad on the podium at Melbourne this October; certainly Matt Goss made a convincing case for team leadership at GP Plouay, Greipel has already been tabbed as the German hope, and an anemic British squad has no choice but the rockstar himself.
If the HTC boys can pull it off, it would be the second time in a decade that Australian soil has played host to such a spectacle—though given the animosity between Cav and Greipel, it would almost certain have to be honestly contested this time around.
I could be wrong, but the course profile does not look suited for the Mighty Manxman. A one-day rider who can attack hard on a climb may be a likely winner.
https://connect.garmin.com/page/activity/player.faces;jsessionid=FB98CCDEFAB61DA601A0632BFC1E2B3F?activityId=22447561&actionMethod=page%2Factivity%2Fplayer.xhtml%3AuserSwitcher.switchSystem&cid=3100085
https://vimeo.com/8784921
I’m hoping for the big classics guns, Pozzato, Cancellara, Gilbert, Vino, etc to give a big showing. Bettini siad it will be like Flanders (though he may just be saying that to mess up other teams selection). Another thing of note besides the climbs (which look quite hard on video) is the stretch from Melbourne to Geelong (about 100km). At that time of year it is very wind, it should be a cross head wind, so hopefully that means the peloton will be tired and the climbs will break it up nicely.
Hey guys, have you heard of this water bottle before, Clean Bottle? It unscrews at both ends so you can clean it out. I’m thinkiong about getting one because I have lots of problems cleaning out my bottles. I think if you go to http://www.cleanbottle.com they have a but 3 get 1 free deal. I saw the guy running around in costume at the Tour and it was hilarious https://www.versus.com/cycling/videos/david-mayer-on-clean-bottle-with-robbie-ventura—stage-18/ Any one use them?
Robbie’s best chance was in Madrid and Bobridge may not be upto defending his “title” so the selectors have choices !
Aussies enter these events with great “fanfare” and it was great to be there and see Cadel finish the job so many others promised, how he will go this time around is any one’s guess !
Think i will watch the outcome on the TV but with the “Talent Pool” that Oz has at present the choice of team is so much more difficult than past years. Whichever racers make the grade i hope they ALL ride through the finish line as this will be a fitting way to treat their supporters and their selection.
Robbie is a STAR and deserves a last “Hurrar” particularly in front of a Home crowd. Sentiment unfortunately does not play a part in team tactics but then i see so lirrle of them in play at the Worlds !
Let us all hope it is an “Aussie ” once again
Cosmo – Bring back that awesome Mario picture! Nothing against Simpson, but that picture of Super Mario was great.
Oh, and the one, the only, Fabulous Fabian Cancellara has this WC in the bag! All the twitchy little sprinters should report directly to the pub so they can marvel in his Spartacusness. This one is a guarantee. Take it to the bank.
(which assures that Gilbert will win)
(unless Vino takes it – with fans displaying equal parts love and hatred)
(oh, and now this means Cadel will double up)
Oh screw it, I’ve got no clue – but damn, why am I more excited for the WCs then I am the Vuelta? Does that mean I am broken?
@Andrew Smith (spambot)
Clean bottles are dumb. I don’t need the other end of my bottle leaking all over my bike.
That would be a great finish if it came down to Cav and Greipel. This could be the best way for the two of them to settle their dispute.
Cancellara has a good chance for the win.
Without Haussler, the only rider who really has a chance of a win is Cadel. gerrans does not have the big enough punch oon the climbs nor sprint to win. Goss will be a good favourite for denmark but he will not last the distance in geelong. Too tough for him though he has a bright future.
Bobridge is focused on the Commonwealth games for the track and all ready said previously that he wished he could do World’s but early in the season saw how close they were together and the decision was made there. He wouldn’t be able to ride U-23 anyways so he wouldn’t be defending anything. He is riding pursuit and team pursuit for Australia at Commonwealth probably to stick it to all the other countries plus he had an agreement with Australia cycling that he would ride track until at least the London Olympics.
Good stuff! I continue to enjoy reading these posts
Good to look back at this blog in retrospect. The squad was fine but the course was much harder than everyone thought especially for all the “htc guys” listed above (Griepel, Goss & Cav). still one of thebest races of the season and cosmo should do a video on this race.
McEwan should defo have ridden..based on form. But the dynamics in the team of having a big name and big personality may have upset the apple-cart for Alby Davis’ great 2nd place.
He wouldn’t be able to ride U-23 anyways so he wouldn’t be defending anything. He is riding pursuit and team pursuit for Australia at Common.