Down Under Classic: live updates, blog
Columnist By Melanie Dinjaski, 15 Jan 2012 Melanie Dinjaski is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Cycling, GreenEDGE cycling, live blog, Tour Down Under
The highly-anticipated 2012 Tour Down Under begins with the 51km Down Under Classic through Adelaide’s East End. We’ll be covering Australia’s biggest cycling event with a live blog from the start of the race at 7.30pm AEDT.
Following Cadel Evans’ Tour de France victory last year, Australian cycling has experienced a sizeable boost in interest and the mainstream sporting public’s increased interest means the 2012 version of the Tour Down Under will be one of the most-watched since the event’s 1999 inception.
That enthusiasm will be particularly focussed on the debut of Australian team GreenEDGE who will make their Tour Down Under debut tonight.
The team includes defending champion Cameron Meyer, Stuart O’Grady and Simon Gerrans as well as evergreen sprinter Robbie McEwen, who will be riding in his final Tour Down Under.
Other Australian riders that will compete this year Mark Renshaw, Michael Rogers, Chris Sutton and Matthew Lloyd.
The Tour will also boast a host of top international riders including Edvald Boasson Hagen, Alejandro Valverde as well as former winners Andre Greipel, Luis Leon Sanchez and Martin Elmiger.
While the six-stage, 804.5km event does not begin officially until Tuesday, tonight’s prologue offers sprinters the opportunity to put their team in the spotlight from the beginning.
Former winners include Matt Goss and Robbie McEwen, and the likes of Mark Renshaw, Alessandro Petacchi and Oscar Freire will all be looking to cross the finish line in front tonight.
Tonight is a great chance to get a good look at how each team’s riders are going, and we’ll be providing up to the minute updates of the Down Under Classic from 7.30pm AEDT. If you’ve got an opinion on who will take it out, or just a general observation of the Tour, don’t hesitate to give us your thoughts below.
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The Crowd Says (54) | Page 1 of Comments
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8:41pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:41pm | Report comment
Hope you’ve enjoyed The Roar’s live blog coverage of the Down Under Classic in Adelaide.
I’ve enjoyed it, thank you, and good night.
8:40pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:40pm | Report comment
Sky Procycling’s No.41 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) get’s second just behind the German, and Aussie No.35 Heinrich Haussler for Garmin – Cervelo takes out third.
Renshaw punctures in the last lap – massively unlucky.
8:38pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:38pm | Report comment
Andre Greipel definitely has the win.
1.03.18 the final time
That’s his second win of the Classic, his first being in 2008.
8:36pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:36pm | Report comment
There we go No.11 Andre Greipel (Ger) from Lotto – Belisol has taken out the Down Under Classic with a blistering sprint in the final 100m!
8:35pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:35pm | Report comment
BIG SPEEDS HERE! Lotto-Belisol are leading!
8:35pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:35pm | Report comment
FINAL LAP!
8:34pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:34pm | Report comment
Renshaw is looking menacing about 4 riders behind the lead – but it looks a long shot for Rabo Bank to get this!
8:33pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:33pm | Report comment
Organised surge to overtake Lotto that was. Can you pick a winner yet!!!??
8:32pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:32pm | Report comment
Sky Procycling’s mega team of 41 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) 42 Geraint Thomas (GBr) 43 Christopher Sutton (Aus) 44 Alex Dowsett (GBr) 45 Michael Rogers (Aus) 46 Danny Pate (USA) 47 Mathew Hayman (Aus) have taken the advantage now!
8:31pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:31pm | Report comment
Lotto-Belisol’s Henderson has snatched the lead now into lap 28/30 but McKewen and Goss from GREENEdge are lurking just metres behind!
8:29pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:29pm | Report comment
Another contender, enter BMC!
8:28pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:28pm | Report comment
Lotto-Belisol also coming into the fray moving well up front beside GREENEdge at Lap 26/30
8:27pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:27pm | Report comment
Jose Joaquin Rojas from Movistar has an issue with his wheel now too so he’ll bow out to fix that and rejoin where he left off
8:24pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:24pm | Report comment
Three RABO bank riders led by Luis Leon Sanchez now at the top of the long, winding group after Lap 25/30
8:23pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:23pm | Report comment
Peloton just ate up the breakaway pack and it’s game on!
8:22pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:22pm | Report comment
Cam Meyer leading the way for GreenEDGE as a wall of his team ride at 40 odd km/h beside the RABO Bank contingent!
8:21pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:21pm | Report comment
Getting to the business end right about now! Only 7 laps to go!
RABO Bank, GreenEdge looking good.
23/30
8:17pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:17pm | Report comment
Nathan Haas for Garmin – Cervelo gets his third Prime of the race! 1500E in the kitty now!
8:15pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:15pm | Report comment
Lots of checking over the shoulder right about now as the teams are setting themselves ready for the break.
8:13pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:13pm | Report comment
RABO Bank making their move right about now too
8:12pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:12pm | Report comment
39 minutes gone through lap 19/30
8:08pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:08pm | Report comment
GREENEdge have made their move through 1 Cameron Meyer to put them in the lead!
8:12pm
Johnno said | 8:12pm | Report comment
Melanie i still do not think Calel has been given the respect in Australia he deserves, in Europe Calel is loved and admired for his achivements in winning the tour de France, but not the same love here.
8:07pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:07pm | Report comment
Counted 9 riders in the breakaway pack, but the gap between them and the peloton has closed slightly
L 16/30
8:06pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:06pm | Report comment
Prime 3 goes to Nathan Haas. That’s a cool 1000 Euros he’s added to his team’s kitty so far! Good effort!
8:04pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:04pm | Report comment
Half way through now at lap 15/30
8:02pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:02pm | Report comment
BMC now with a big setback as Marcus Burghardt gets a flat on his front tyre. He’ll be able to change it and resume the race in the position he left at..
8:01pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 8:01pm | Report comment
Wesley Sulzberger now leading for Uni SA followed by Mattéo Montaguti for La Mondiale
7:59pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:59pm | Report comment
Lap 12/30 begins and the gap is roughly 20 odd seconds between the peloton
7:56pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:56pm | Report comment
At lap 11/30 Jay McCarthy maintains the lead for UNI SA
7:55pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:55pm | Report comment
Nathan Haas wins the Prime 2 – 500 Euros! Jose Ivan Gutierrez got Prime 1 prize
7:53pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:53pm | Report comment
Robbie McKewen still well back in the pack
7:49pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:49pm | Report comment
Looks like Adelaide must have sold every cow bell in existence. The crowd are loving the bell!
7:48pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:48pm | Report comment
Into lap 8 and Adrián Saéz De Arregui from team Euskaltel – Euskadi is haunting behind Dennis who still holds the lead for UNI SA
7:46pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:46pm | Report comment
Rohan Dennis reclaims the lead as Jose Ivan Gutierrez eases off after his sprint effort to collect the cash prize.
7:45pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:45pm | Report comment
Two more riders have joined the breakaway. Jose Ivan Gutierrez from Movistar glides a good 50m in front of the pack to win the first prime sprint.
The seven riders are approximately 25 seconds ahead of the peleton.
7:41pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:41pm | Report comment
At lap 5, there’s a group of five riders who have broken away from the pack. Looks to be UNI SA still holding onto it, just!
7:38pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:38pm | Report comment
GREENEdge had the lead in the first lap, but it’s still UNI SA with the advantage. Crowds still lapping it up! (Pardon the pun!)
7:37pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:37pm | Report comment
As lap 3/30 is about to begin the field have spread out with UNI SA still maintaining the lead
7:36pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:36pm | Report comment
UNI SA team emerging as early leaders. Very talented squad this lot.
7:34pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:34pm | Report comment
Impressive crowds turning out for the Down Under Classic tonight. Take a bow Adelaide!
7:32pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:32pm | Report comment
51km, street circuit, pretty hot conditions at 29 degrees, here we go!
THEY’RE OFF!
7:30pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:30pm | Report comment
Do you think it will be as good without Lance Armstrong?
7:29pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:29pm | Report comment
Minutes away from the start now. Who’s your pick for the winner tonight?
7:34pm
Tristan Rayner said | 7:34pm | Report comment
Renshaw is the popular pick!
7:25pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:25pm | Report comment
The riders are lining up and getting in position for the start. Get ready!
7:25pm
Tristan Rayner said | 7:25pm | Report comment
Plenty of controversy around the lack of TV vision from Channel Nine tonight. The WWOS website is streaming the race via – live at 7:23 ADST.
The ABC is also covering the TDU for listeners
Hope these links are useful, alongside Mel’s blog
7:12pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:12pm | Report comment
Have you guys packed your snacks? Filled your water bottle? Put petrol in the moped? Maybe even slipped into the spandex? Why not!
We’re less than half an hour until the race starts! Get excited!
6:59pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 6:59pm | Report comment
News in about Green Edge’s Luke Durbridge. He’s reportedly crashed on the way to the race, and suffered a “minor” concussion. So he will not take make the start of the Tour Down Under Classic!
7:05pm
Melanie Dinjaski said | 7:05pm | Report comment
Whoa Tristan beat me to it!
7:07pm
Tristan Rayner said | 7:07pm | Report comment
Gotta be quick Mel
6:58pm
Tristan Rayner said | 6:58pm | Report comment
Late call-up to GreenEDGE, Luke Durbridge, has crashed on the way to the race. Suffered a minor concussion.
He will not take to the start of the Classic as a precaution – he’s tweeted that he is ok. Ouch.
6:58pm
Tristan Rayner said | 6:58pm | Report comment
Some irony in that he replaced Jack Bobridge who crashed earlier in the week at the Road Nationals. Hoping he’ll be ok for the Tour which starts Tuesday.
3:33pm
ChrisW said | 3:33pm | Report comment
Looking forward to the race go Greenedge:)