@Martial1 – Indeed, it would be a wonderful result for the team.
Herald Sun Tour Preview
Route
This years edition starts with a 3.1 kilometer long prologue in the city of Melbourne. It should not prove to be a deciding stage as far as the General Classification goes, but it will decide, who wears the jersey first. The course mainly goes downhill, so a brave rider might have some advantage above the others.
After the opening prologue, a short flat stage comes. The 124.1 kilometer long route finishing in a long straight should be an ideal ground for the sprinters to battle for the stage. Unless, a breakaway manages to surprise the peloton, of course.
Now, here is where it gets exciting for the non-sprinters! A 4th category climb around 10 kilometres before the finish. This is a course designed for a late attack, the race can easily be lost here with bad positioning.
Stage 4 is headlined by the two bigger climbs in the midst of it, but the most likely result on a stage like that is a mass sprint. This is the last opportunity for the sprinters in the race, so their teams will probably do anything to make the catch.
The queen stage of the race comes last. Despite it's short length, 121.9 kilometers, it is pretty hilly. It finishes on the Arthur's Seat climb, which is more than 3 km long and averages over 9.5% for more than the half of it. This hill will most likely decide the overall race!
Our Squad
We have a pretty strong squad there. Caleb will lead the sprints, while Danny will be in charge of the race for the GC. However, as you can surely see, our team is out of shape pretty much. There is nothing we can do about that really, since we can't get any racedays without invites. Anyways, let's move on to the rest of the team. Caleb has a strong train over here, the likes of Houle, Rathe and Gilbert should be sufficient. The others are for more general support, but they can also ride for themselves, if they can get into the daily breaks.
As far as expectations go, I would be happy with a couple of top 10's and a top 5 from Ewan, as well as getting into as many breaks as possible.
Startlist
Looking at the startlist, the obvious favorite seems to be Frank Schleck. No one his form, but if he takes it seriously, he is the one to beat. Then, there are some italians, such as Rabottini, Caruso and Nocentini, along with other outsiders, like Serpa, Morton and Kiryienka.
Sprinters, there're many of them here. Not giving you a full list, but the list of prominent names should include Meersman, Bozic, Eisel, Breschel, Markus and even Ewan We will see, who is in the best form amonst them, there will be a huge battle for the stage-wins.
@VoetsT – Thank you, I hope he'll be able to perform!
Herald Sun Tour Stage 1
Profile
Race Recap
Danny Pate was the second guy out there from our team, but just as Rathe earlier, he struggled mightily. Throughout the 3.1 kilometer long prologue, Danny couldn't limit his losses and came 31 seconds down on the winner.
The best rider of ours was the Australian youngster, Campbell Flakemore. After a strong showing in the Aussie Championships, he did it again! After everyone finished the course, it became clear, that he ended the stage 22nd, only down 6 seconds! Good ride by him!
The winner of the stage was another Australian. Luke Durbridge really looked up for the challenge, right out of the gate he seemed fast. In the end, he beat fellow Australian and teammate, Brett Lancaster by a second. The podium was rounded out by Kristof Vandewalle.
Results
Reaction
Not bad of a stage for us, but only Campbell delivered. Anyways, we hope to improve throughout the next stages, maybe looking into the breakaways, who knows?Edited by fernando97 on 04-06-2014 15:09
Today's breakaway was 3 man one. Luckily, we managed to get a guy in the breakaway, Cambell Flakemore was the one in there. We sent him with the intention of getting TV time and trying to snatch some points. The first one succeeded, but the second one did not. The other attackers, Herklotz and Grmay took all the juicy placings.
The pace in the peloton was pretty average. Orica and Cannondale paced at the front, keeping the gap in control. At around the 20km mark they managed to bring it all together. The sprint preparations began right away.
Live Coverage
Cannondale and Belkin are the teams preparing for the sprint with a lead out, Caleb is hopping on the italian train after the nice lead out by Gilbert. It, right now, seems to be the wrong decision, as the Belkin train is pulling away!
Jonathan Hivert is providing a perfect situation for Hofland to sprint and take the stage! After them it is the trio of Marcato, Haas and Ewan, led by the italian. Can they come back?
Only 400 meters to go, it seems impossible to overtake now. Hofland is still in the lead, Hivert is falling back and the trio will beat him to the line. Caleb tries to go on the outside, but he is fading a bit, as he comes around.
Moreno Hofland wins the stage! Great sprint from him and his team! Rounding out the podium is Marcato and Haas, with Caleb Ewan coming in 4th. Hofland also takes on the leader's jersey, which means that Flakemore will be riding in white tomorrow, thanks for the bonus seconds he took from the stage!
Results
Reaction
All in all, this is a nice result. Caleb fought hard and he seems to be in better shape every day. It is great to see him beating some bigger names. Also, the white jersey is a nice achievement for Campbell, we're really happy for him and how he fought in the break.
The white jersey, Campbell Flakemore! Showing off, I guess, in the breakaway again, got some points and showed the jersey in the TV. Good job!
Belkin initiated a high pace at the front of the peloton, they eventually managed to catch Flakemore. The peloton started the ultimate climb together, this is where we start our live coverage.
Live Coverage
Hugo Houle does not waste any time, he attacks on the climb! Noone goes with him, as he crosses the top with a lead of 25 seconds! Can he hold onto it, he has 6 kilometres left?!
The peloton is closing on him quickly, so we ask Rathe and Pate to form a train for Caleb. The situation is pretty messy, no other sprint trains formed, so it is pretty unpredictable.
IUnder the Flamme Rouge we go right now, Hugo is still ahead, but Moreno Hofland in the yellow jersey, seems to catch him! Meanwhile, a few meters back Caleb launches his sprint, he seems to be closing the gap! Hofland is still in the front, but it's getting close...
...Caleb Ewan wins the stage! Dominant sprint by the young Australian, almost gapping the fading Hofland and the peloton. The Dutch rider kept his second place, whileSimone Ponzicame in 3rd. Hugo Houle hanged onto a top 10 placing, finishing 8th.
Results
Reaction
Wohoooooo, that was crazy! The whole team is celebrating right now, and rightly so! I'm still stunned.
