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2016 Herald Sun Tour: Stage 1 preview

The Sky Team will be aiming to take out Day 1 of the Herald Sun Tour. But who of their men is being groomed as the winner? (Image: Sky).
Roar Guru
2nd February, 2016
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Stage 1 of the Herald Sun Tour could potentially see the first real action in terms of the general classification fight, with the riders starting and finshing in the town of Healesville.

The first half of today’s 126-kilometre stage is flat and fairly routinue.

The first obstacle of the day arrives after 58.4 kilometres with the first intermediate sprint, in the town of Warburton. Having passed the sprint point, the peloton will set themselves up for the first of two categorised climbs.

The second category climb of Old Warburton Road will be crested at just over half distance (64 kilometres). The climb averages out at just under five per cent in gradient for over four kilometres.

Expect the break of the day to be a hotly contested affair, as this, along with Stage 4, are the only two stages where a bagful of King of the Mountains points are on offer.

Another 34 kilometres are travelled before the riders go through Healesville for the first time, with the second of the two intermediate sprints occurring. Much like the first sprint, once again the riders setup for another climb, by far one of the toughest climbs in the race.

The category one climb of Mount St Leonard starts with just under 30 kilometres left. The climb averages out at 5.5 per cent for over eight kilometres, with the gradient in the second half a little steeper.

At 19 kilometres left the climb is crested, and a technical descent back into Healesville follows for the end of the stage.

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I doubt we will see a big group at the finish, with the tough nature of the climb and the demanding descent bringing out the best of the peloton.

Team Sky have the best set of climbers in the field, with the four-strong attack of Ian Boswell, Sebastian Henao, Chris Froome, and winner of the recent Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Peter Kennaugh.

Who knows which one of the four will get the nod, but for mine, Kennaugh is the man again. Out of the four riders he is more of the opportunist and will have no hesitation attacking on the climb or the descent into the finish.

As shown by his former track exploits, and his win last weekend, he has no problem riding at threshold for long periods, so expect him to be at the pointy end on Thursday.

After finishing second at last year’s Tour l’Avenir, Jack Haig has made a solid step up to the World Tour ranks with Orica Orica-GreenEDGE. This will be the first time he gets to rid for himself this season, and after finshing third in this race in 2014, he will be looking to finish on the podium once again.

He will also aim to clinch the young rider’s jersey, but faces competition from the likes of the Hamilton brothers (Australian National Team), and Dion Smith (One Pro Cycling).

Drapac had solid performances last year, especially in the week-long American stage races, thanks largely to general classification rider Lachlan Norris. Norris finished inside sixth at the Tour of Utah, where he also won a stage, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, showing off his ability over the climbs.

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I expected him to have an early season peak to do well in his home races, but we have not seen much from the young Aussie so far. Hopefully we get to see his form in this race.

Other riders to look out for include Damien Howson (Orica Orica-GreenEDGE), Jack Bobridge and Julian Berard (Trek), Nathan Earle (Drapac), Johnathon Clarke (United HealthCare), Damiano Cunego (Nippo-Vini Fantini), Joe Cooper (Avanti) and Jackson Christie (Kenyan Riders Downunder).

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