sutty68 wrote:
Jackson with good rides on stages 2 and 4
Indeed. Too bad I suck at TTs. No GC chances here.
Avanti keeps dominating, finishing 1st and 3rd in the final GC of the King Valley Tour: Pat Shaw is back on top of the NRS rankings, passing Scott Sunderland by more than hundred points. Teammate Joe Cooper scored big time though, jumping onto 3rd in the rankings. With a few key events ahead, the TT-horse is definitely a threat for veteran Pat Shaw.
Notable results also for Subaru NSWIS: jumping onto 2nd in the team's rannkings, already quite far behind Avanti though. Kauffman and Toovey both inside the inidividual's Top-10 now. Same goes for State of Matter's top sprinter Jesse Kerrison, who keeps sprinting for ranking points, though missing the big hit yet.
After a year hiatus in 2016, this event has returned to the National Road Series in 2017 and is shaping up to be the best edition in the event's acclaimed history. Described as a 'Jewel in the Crown' of Australia's domestic road cycling calendar, the five day race will attract the best Australian teams and the cream of Australia's elite domestic male cyclists. With a prestigious list of past winners such as Will Walker and Nathan Haas - The Australian Paper Tour of Gippsland is a pinnacle steppingstone for those ambitious riders hoping to forge a career in the professional cycling arena.
With a brand new key stage (on fourth day), the Tour of Gippsland will probably be decided between the best puncheurs in the field. Sprinters may fancy their chances with bonifications and a less selective queen stage, but Gippsland's races are likely to see crosswinds and fast action.
No way to look past Avanti, business as usual. A course handmade for an allrounder like NRS leader Pat Shaw or strongmen like Joe Cooper, Pat Lane or sprinter Anthony Giacoppo, who can survive hills as well. Anyone smelling a chance to beat this team? Well, the two strongest challengers seem to be Subaru NSWIS and State of Matter, as well as an upcoming Pat's Veg squad: Dylan Sunderland, Jacob Kauffman, Ayden Toovey or Matt Ross may stand a chance against Avanti. Kerrison, Scott Law or Russell Gill (SASI) amongst the best sprinters here.
JML Racing will once again rely on Jake Klajnbat as their man for the GC and maybe stage-hunting. Also sprinter Jackson Mawby may fancy his chances in sprints, as he handles hills pretty well. Alex Clements as a prominent addition for the tour, who once promised extraordinary talent.
Jesse Kerrison (State of Matter) kicked off the tour with a bang, taking the first two stages and leading the GC comfortably thanks to a stunning "solo victory" in the opening criterium. Sean Whitfield (Oliver's Real Food) and stage three winner Russell Gill (SASI) sit on the further podium spots ahead of NRS leader Pat Shaw (Avanti).
The criterium in Traralgon was ridden hard and fast, with heavy crosswinds making it a real thriller. The peloton was split into pieces with every lap raced and eventually only a group of 30 riders was left in the lead! Kerrison dominated the bunch sprint, soloing away to a 14-seconds-gap for line honours. Jackson Mawby - a strong 6th on the day - and Alex Clements were JML Racing's two riders in the main group, gaining valuable time on so many dropped riders.
Mawby however struggled in the second stage to Metung, which again saw many splits and a 40-men-bunch reaching the finish with a notable gap. Mawby just hang on to finish with the same time as stage-winner Kerrison, while Clements had another good stage as 9th on the day.
JML's duo currently sits inside the GC's Top-15, as stage three went to Russell Gill in another sprint decision from a bigger peloton this time. Jake Klajnbat (JML) featured the break of the day, but was unlucky with a late attempt to hold off the pack, eventually getting caught inside the final 2km! The hilly key stage to Inverloch now ahead, it's mainly Clements, who raises JML's hopes for a first notable GC-finish in the NRS.
Crosswinds and fast pace in the crit: only 30 riders in the front group..
Perfect team work for a dominating win: Jesse Kerrison #S1!
State of Matter again at the front in stagt two's finish..
..closer this time, but another win for: Jesse Kerrison #S2!
Klajnbat (JML) in the break of the day, almost to the finish..
..but the sprinter teams delivered: Russel Gill takes #S3 for SASI!
Will Kerrison defend his GC-lead in the key stage tomorrow?
Matt Ross (Pat's Veg) is the overall winner of the Tour of Gippsland, with Avanti's duo Pat Shaw and Pat Lane completing the podium. Up and coming climber Ross rode to crucial bonifications by winning the key stage from Wonthaggi to Inverloch, where a group of 22 riders would fight for the GC primes. Former race-leader Jesse Kerrison lost contact and had to settle for a 15th place in the final GC.
Stage four and it's hills were always going to be the key for the GC here. Avanti would make it a race of the fittest, setting a high pace to drop more and more riders until the final few kilometres. A few high placed GC riders suffered and just like Kerrison, also JML's duo Alex Clements and Jackson Mawby had to give up on their dream of a Top-15 result here. Clements at least secured the team one point for the rankings by finishing 20th in the GC eventually.
Eventually, Avanti wasn't going to take the stage though, as Pat's Veg played it smart with Matt Ross outsprinting Pat Lane in a close decision. The final criterium in Traralgon did not lead to big GC moves, as breakaway rider Rowan Dever (Oliver's Real Food) soloed away from the break to take a great solo-win ahead of the bunch.
Avanti working hard to drop GC-leader Kerrison in stage four..
More and more riders suffered: Jackson Mawby (JML) can't follow..
GC-leader Kerrison and Clements (JML) got drop close to the finish..
..while Ross and Lane would fight for line honours from a small group..
First NRS-win for Matt Ross! Crucial victory for the leader's shirt..
Rowan Dever (Oliver's Real Food) would win stage five solo!
Matt Ross celebrating his overall victory against Avanti's duo Lane/Shaw!
Finally caught up on this story and I should've done so sooner. Really love the format of the racing competition and the updates are entertaining and fun to read Looking forward to the continuation of this season with a much weaker team and can't wait to see how you get on! Keep up the good work, mate!
@sutty/Tamijo: Mawby did well, but it hurts that we could not benefit from those splits in the first stages. At least we scored a first point in the teams rankings.
@Ollie: Thanks for stopping by with some nice words. Always great to see a new follower, especially since most of my readers disappeared from the forum Hope you will keep following this rather short season.
Pat Shaw (Avanti) (with the NRS leader shirt on the picture above) still leads the rankings and probably made an important steps towards his second NRS title after he took the crown back in 2010. Finishing as runner-up in the Gippsland Tour, the veteran collected key points with now 4 of 7 events done. His teammate Pat Lane did well, too, while one of the biggest title contenders - Joseph Cooper - had to settle for a quiet 10th place in the final GC. His two key stage races will be next in line though.
Matt Ross (Pat's Veg) jumps onto 2nd in the rankings, gaining points on Shaw thanks to his Gippsland victory. He certainly can become a real threat, as he will probably prefer the more mountainous route(s) in the upcoming National Capital Tour and the Tour of Tasmania. Sprinter Jesse Kerrison collected his first stage-wins since his NRS comeback and finds himself in the NRS podium battle as well.
As for the team's rankings, it's obvious that Avanti should again take the title at the end of the year. With already more than 700pts gained on State of Matter, the battle for the runner-up spot will be more interesting. Subaru NSWIS didn't score GC points in Gippsland, while Pat's Veg made a nice jump onto 3rd. JML Racing scored it's first ranking points thanks to Alex Clement finishing 20th in the final GC.
The National Capital Tour is in its fifth year, and marks the return of the men's and women’s Subaru National Road Series after the short winter hiatus.
This year the tour is building on a successful format with the introduction of two revised courses , including a short mountain top finish on Black Mountain and a flat Canberra Kermesse. Once again, we open the tour with a very tough time trial and conclude it with a Criterium on a purpose built Criterium circuit at the world class Stromlo Forest Park
The opening hilly timetrial of course suits Joseph Cooper the best. And the Kiwi desperately needs to play it smart and perfect, as he must shorten the gap to NRS leader and teammate Patrick Shaw here. The latter may not be Avanti's best option here, but with his current shape, you can't count him off for at least great stage results.
A few more well talented climbers with timetrial skills may fancy their chances to beat Avanti like Pat's Veg did with Matt Ross in the most recent stage race through Gippsland. Up and coming Robert Stannard (Mobius) or Jacob Kauffman (Subaru NSWIS), as well as some great climbers like Ben Dyball (Mobius), Dylan Sunderland (State of Matter), Chris Harper (Swiss Wellness) or Pat's Veg with Ross/Morey/Monk should be amongst those GC threats.
JML Racing will hope for Jake Klajnbat to play his skills on short hills in the timetrial. If he's in good form, he's the team's option for maybe another Top-20 in the GC after Alex Clements (not at the start here) finished 20th in Gippsland.
Robbie Hucker (Avanti) came back strong after his team surprisingly missed out on the win in the opening Googong timetrial. The climber stormed to a key stage-win on the Black Mountain climb on second day, beating Robert Stannard (Mobius) and gapping a bigger group to take the GC-lead. Joe Cooper (Avanti) and Ben Dyball (Mobius) currently sit on 3rd and 4th in the GC.
The opening ITT was tricky: heavy rain and a challenging course. Top-favorite Cooper hadn't his best day and had to settle for a narrow 4th place, just finishing less than a second slower than Liam Magennis (Subaru NSWIS), who rode a thrilling victory ahead of Ethan Berends (Jayco VIS) and Ben Dyball. Magennis finished in the first bigger group on Black Mountain and sits on 6th in the GC now.
JML Racing had a solid start to the tour: Jake Klajnbat finished 20th in the ITT and a strong 13th in the key stage. While he might have went a little bit too early in the bunch sprint between those 29 riders in the leading group, he seems to be on a good way to score minor NRS with a Top-20 GC here. Still two (flat rated) stages to come though.
Berends (Jayco VIS) almost rode to his first NRS win..
..but Magennis (NSWIS) did it: TT-victory against Cooper!
NRS leader Pat Shaw (left) leading the pack on second day..
Hucker/Stannard and JML's Klajnbat launching their moves..
Hucker and Stannard opened up a small gap quickly..
..and rode to a 14 seconds gap! Hucker wins #S2!
Leading the GC with a small advantage over Stannard..
Good job by Jake Klajnbat so far. With two flat stages left he should be able to hold on to a top 20 in the GC. Looks like a promising rider who will be interesting to follow over the next few seasons!
Quick question; is it possible to be relegated in this racing system? And if not, have you started planning for next season in terms of who to sign or release?
@sutty/Tamijo: I agree with both of you. Moving up a spot will be hard with two flat stages to come, but we're okay with his results in the first two stages anyway.
@Ollie: There's no relegation in the NRS, no. But several teams still have an uncertain future, with the difficulty to attract sponsors, e.g. JML Racing as one of those teams, which can not confirm yet, if the team will go on in 2018 or not!
As for the planning a next season. For the last two in-game seasons i've pretty much sticked with the real action in the NRS (teams, startlists, races). I'm not yet sure whether I will continue to keep it as close to RL as possible or try a different approach to a 2018 campaign (I'm pretty sure I will run another season here). Let's see. I will let you know, when the time has come
Robert Stannard (Mobius) rode to his first NRS-victory in a stunning fashion, once again promising a huge talent and smart tactics as well. The young gun was impressive in the final two (flat) stages, finishing 4th on stage three, but winning the short criterium race at Stromlo Forest to overtake GC-leader Robbie Hucker (Avanti) by 5 seconds! Avanti misses a GC-victory for the second consecutive event, but (again) has two on podium with Joseph Cooper as 3rd in the final GC.
The Canberra Kermesse on third day was won by Liam White (Pat's Veg), who easily beat Jesse Kerrison (State of Matter) and a strong Lachlan Holliday (Swiss Wellness). Stannard looked already quite strong in such a bunch sprint, finishing 4th to gain 3 bonus seconds on Hucker. Also Jake Klajnbat (JML) did well as 8th on the stage.
The final stage almost went to an early breakaway group, but the peloton swallowed the escapees on the final few hundred metres. A crucial situation, as Rob Stannard would storm to a dominating sprint victory and the GC-win, beating Campbell Stewart (New Zealand National Team) and Nicholas White (Oliver's Real Food).
JML Racing will be happy with Jake Klajnbat sprinting to a 4th place and bonifications on the stage. The team's leader made a small jump in the GC to finish a solid 16th overall. The best GC result for the team so far. Klajnbat certainly rode a strong race here.
State of Matter leading the peloton in a windy stage three..
Bunch sprint with Stewart/Stannard and Klajnbat in the mix..
..but Liam White (Pat's Veg) had the perfect timing to dominate!
Stannard outplays the opponents in the final stage..
JML's Klajnbat again strong at the front..
..thrilling victory for Stannard and his Mobius Future team!
Probably not the last time to see Stannard on a podium..
Pat Shaw (Avanti) is still leading the rankings with now only two races left. Despite scoring zero points in Canberra (but showing great team work), Shaw might have had a key race. Joseph Cooper did not score as expected, even though he rode to a 3rd place overall. Missing out on 30pts for the TT-win hurts however. He's still a threat for Shaw, if Cooper delivers in the forthcoming Tour of Tasmania.
Robert Stannard (Mobius) made the biggest jump by scoring his first points (250) in the season. Certainly someone to watch for in Tasmania, as well as his teammate Ben Dyball, who showed why he was a part of Avanti's squad for so long. Rob Hucker (Avanti) enjoyed a great race as well, even though it might still hurt him, that he lost the race through bonifications in the final stage.
While Avanti keeps dominating the team's rankings, we enjoy a thrilling fight for the runner-up spot(s). Mobius Future Racing had a huge race to jump onto 2nd, but it's all open between four teams, it seems. JML Racing added minor points thanks to a good race from Jake Klajnbat. It's a slow way up the rankings, but the team went from 0 to 1 to 6 points in three races.
Looking forward to the continuation of this season with a much weaker team and can't wait to see how you get on! Keep up the good work, mate!
