Stage 1 of the 2014 Tour Down Under kicks off today in Adelaide. The 135km stage from Nurioopta to Angaston is sure to be a decisive stage as the battle for the ochre jersey begins.
Hot and windy conditions have the potential to wreak havoc in the peloton. The predominantly flat terrain of Adelaide provides an ideal stomping ground for strong teams with men such as Ian Stannard and Jens Voight to split the bunch into pieces during the gruelling sections of crosswinds.
Expect riders from team UniSA to be aggressive and present towards the front of the peloton, joining and initiating breakaways in order to justify their selection.
A very strong team has been created this year with many riders selected upon their promising results in the 2013 edition of the NRS and the recent Mars Australian Road Championships in Bunninyong.
After Caleb Ewan’s incredible result in the People’s Choice Classic on Sunday, he will no doubt have full support from his team.
A decisive hill only 14km from the stage finish will have strong climbers scrambling to break away from the main peloton.
The climb itself is only 3km long with an average gradient of 7%, but with such a short space between here and the finish line it is entirely possible the selection for overall honours of this year’s edition of the Tour Down Under to be made here.
This probably isn’t a stage that the Tour Down Under that can be won on, however if the General Classification contenders don’t remain attentive towards the front of the peloton, it is a stage the tour can be lost.
Expect riders from Orica-GreenEDGE to utilise the final climb to their advantage in the hunt for the stage win and Ochre jersey.
Michael Matthews is a hot contender for todays stage win. Not only does he possess one of the fastest kicks in the professional peloton, he’s likely to climb with the GC contenders as well.
This, along with his skills in a peloton will make him hard defeat. Don’t count out the young gun, Caleb Ewan, who has a very similar riding style to Michael, but his inexperience in a World Tour field may not work in his favour.
Sprinters such as Rojas and Greipel have proven they can struggle over short climbs successfully with the leaders.
If this is the case, they will surely be hot favourites for today’s stage. A breakaway will be formed early on during the stage.
Aggressive riders such as Jens Voigt from team Trek and Will Clarke from team Drapac are likely to be spotted in these breakaways, providing possibilities to capitalise on today’s race.
An exciting stage has been created to open this year’s Tour Down Under, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds.
Bones506
Roar Guru
He is def up there as well but has a ways to go. Gerrans has won a 1 day Classic in MSR, won Stages in all 3 Grand Tours and taken out 1 week races like TDU twice.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
The slightly biased Slovakians might disagree with us slightly biased Australians. Peter Sagan has the ability to win cobbled races after all.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Agreed, although I imagine Peter Sagan would wreak some serious havoc if he was racing.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Thats a wrap! Well done Orica Greenedge. Simon Gerrans sure has developed a serious kick.
Bones506
Roar Guru
Gerrans is all class. Arguably the best all round rider in the world.
Matthew Boulden
Roar Guru
Gerrans! So much for just "surviving the stage", though I was not expecting him to defeat Andre Greipel in the process.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Cadel Evans in 9th, Robert Gesink in 10th.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Simon Gerrans looks to defend the jersey for the whole tour. ''I have a lot of faith in the guys'', reported Gerrans after his stage win.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Steele Von Hoff in 3rd place. This finish is very alike Simon Gerrans stage win in the 2013 Tour de France when Impey led out Gerrans to hold off Peter Sagan. Wow, what an athlete! Simon Gerrans moves into the Ochre jersey.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
SIMON GERRANS COMES AROUND ANDRE GREIPEL FOR THE WIN!
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
The sprint is starting! Michael Matthews looking fast and well placed in the peloton! Daryl Impey leads out.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
1km to go! All uphill however. CRASH! The winner of todays stage could be anyone.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Arishiro from Japan in the breakaway with his teamate! Go you guys, they are not giving up. ARISHIRO IS GONE! His teamate from Europcar has ridden away solo.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
4kms to go, two Europcar riders still of the front! Andre Greipel is still in contact, probably the favorite for today's stage now.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Scrap that! Small peloton, most likely no sprinters. Drapac have many riders in the leading bunch.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
All the main contenders for GC. Not sure about the sprinters I assume Andre Greipel is still in contact.
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Two Europcar riders have broken away with 8kms to go! Adam Hansen has been caught.
boes
Roar Pro
How many in the lead group? Who is there?
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
Richie Porte moves to the fron. ATTACK! Adam Hansen has launched over the top of Menglers Hill to take the first King of the Mountain. He now has a substantial gap with only 12kms remaining!
Sam Hill
Roar Rookie
The peloton has been reduced dramatically, all thanks to Nathan Haas who is still on the front!