The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Aussie cyclists to watch for in April

Roar Guru
3rd April, 2012
0

Today sees the 100th staging of the Scheldeprijs, a Flanders Classics race. While not a monument, the race is a classic in the calendar and the 2012 incarnation will see one of the most open fields in recent memory.

In recent years, British cyclist Mark Cavendish (Team Sky) has dominated, winning the event in 2007, 2008 and in 2011. However, Cavendish has announced he won’t be contesting this year’s event – he is expecting the birth of his first child the day after the race – which opens up the event for the remaining members of the field.

For those unfamiliar with the Scheldeprijs, it could be described as a Flanders Classic that is more for the sprinters. The race, which begins on the banks of the River Schelde, takes place largely on flat roads, but is occasionally interspersed with areas of cobblestone over its 200 kilometre distance.

The last Australian to collect the title was Robbie McEwen in 2002.

In positive news for Australian cycling fans, Team Sky is expected to push for Australian Chris Sutton to take out the sprint finale.

Another team who could bring positive news for Aussie cycling fans is GreenEDGE. The Australian team have a good chance of performing well if their sprinters can fire and overcome their poor form of late. Aidis Kroupis has not been faring well recently, so pressure is mounting on Baden Cooke to put in a good performance.

The next big race in the calendar is Paris-Roubaix, on the eighth of April. Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), has been on fire of late and will be highly favoured to secure another win. If he manages to take it out, it will be his fourth win in the race, and will put him up there with legendary Belgian racer Roger De Vlaeminck.

However, nothing is certain in cycling. Favourites can lose and circumstances can change, giving several riders a chance to show their talent and ability.

Advertisement

The next big events in the cycling calendar in 2012 will be the Ardennes Classics: The Amstel Gold (15th April), Fleche Wallonne (18th April) and Liege-Bastogne-Liege (22nd April). Australians have a good record in these events. Phil Anderson and Cadel Evans have won, and Stuart O’Grady and Simon Gerrans have placed well.

Preparation for the Ardennes Classics largely consists of good performances in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, which is currently taking place in Spain.

GreenEDGE’s Neil Stephens said results in the Spanish event, along with the French event Circuit de la Sarthe, are particularly important for the big races later in the month.

“We consider Pais Vasco an important building block in our preparation for the Ardennes Classics and stage wins are our priority as part of this lead up to the second part of April,” Stephens said.

The current GreenEDGE team for Pais Vasco is Allan Davis, Christian Meier, Daryl Impey, Michael Albasini, Simon Clarke, Simon Gerrans, Travis Meyer, and Wesley Sulzberger.

The team for Circuit de la Sarthe is Brett Lancaster, Daniel Teklehaymanot, Luke Durbridge, Matt Wilson and Pieter Weening.

I hope Matt Wilson is getting paid overtime.

Advertisement
close