Roar Rookie
Joined July 2013
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21 year-old competitive cyclist. I love exciting racing and feats of great determination. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. - Mark Twain
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Stage 9 of the 2017 Tour de France was a stage no-one will forget. It will go down in the history as one of…
Sun Herald Tour defending champion Calvin Watson was certainty not the favourite 13 months ago. It was through a hard (and extremely hot) stage…
The Herald Sun Tour always promises exciting racing, with an elite selection of the world's most talented cyclists lining up to compete in Australia's…
Stage 1 of the 2014 Tour Down Under kicks off today in Adelaide. The 135km stage from Nurioopta to Angaston is sure to be…
Stuart O'Grady. Only a short time ago, simply his name was enough bring a smile to any cyclist's face. He is 'the Aussie battler',…
Tommy Voeckler had a crash before Stage 1 and broke his collarbone. Already on a plane back to France! Its a shame, he would have made the final hill exciting being such an explosive rider.
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
The break is BACK OUT to 3.07. Phil Ligget predicting the break will be caught at the base of Menglers climb.
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
The breakaway working well together, at most the gap between themselves and the peloton were 4 minutes. Luke Durbridge is working with Team Sky in order to bring back the breakaway.
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
Just over 2 hours completed on the stage. Caleb Ewan donning the aero helmet! No holes on its surface like a regular helmet. They are designed to reduce wind drag, therefore increase speed.
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
Team Sky reducing the gap between the breakaway and peloton to 2.20 seconds.
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
Andre Greipel believes if there is a headwind on the climb, his chances of hanging on to the peloton up the final hill are increased and therefore his chances of winning the stage and claiming the first Ochre jersey.
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
The peloton have closed the break in quite significantly due to racing for the remaining time bonus. 3rd place is taken out by Simon Gerrans.
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
The breakaway approaching the 2nd intermediate sprint, it is taken out by Neil Van der Ploeg by team Uni SA
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
1 hour 46 minutes into the stage, 64.4km remaining. 70kms completed, averaging 40km/h
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
The stage is underway! Will Clarke and Neil Van der Pleog have initated todays break. They have roughly 4 minutes on the peleton.
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog
David, what you have said is very true. Patriotism can blind, and I am realising now that perhaps I have been affected. Australians indeed have a reputation of turning into fanatical patriots when beloved Australian icons suffer under the scrutiny of the media. Needless to say, I am 100% against drug usage in sport. Stuart O’Grady should confess to further cases of doping, if they indeed did occur. On the seemingly unlikely chance they didn’t, what assholes we are accusing the innocent? I remain true to the fact, that Stuart O’Grady should be treated with respect until he is proven guilty of more sinister acts of doping. Re-reading my article, I can now observe that I wrote out of anger and some things I said were childish attempts to provoke readers who did not share my opinion. I am still surprised at how harshly he is being treated. Much like in the scene of Monty Python regarding the burning of the witch, people now scream for him to be burnt. I think it represents the mob mentality we possess nowadays. People have become so callous.
In defence of Stuart O'Grady
The talent of Stuart O’Grady, assuming his other victories were clean (which we must till proven otherwise) were sure to be recognised regardless.
In defence of Stuart O'Grady
I have read the article, and fully understand where Brad is coming from. Cycling is so important to people like these, and not being able to have a proper shot at it must be infuriating. However, the only proven time Stuey has doped was in 1998, a year in which 83 other cyclists decided to as well. His choice was to not contend the tour, or join the other dopers. Like I’ve already said, he made the wrong decision but look what he’s done for Australian cycling over the last decade as a result. Its never ok to dope or lie, but under the circumstances I think Stueys actions are forgivable. Your anger does not lie with Stuey, but with repeat offenders who have continually abused drugs in an effort to gain an advantage.
In defence of Stuart O'Grady
How many times must I re-iterate the facts. Stuey has been proven guilty of doping ONE time. Until it is proven otherwise, he does not deserve this treatment
In defence of Stuart O'Grady
Valid point. I will continue to support Stuey till he’s proven guilty on more than one occasion of doping. Perhaps I do hold a slight bias towards Australian athletes. However, for the record I supported Lance Armstrong right up until hes downfall. Its harder to forgive Lance because he’s so arrogant. Stuey is such a humble, nice man I think I would forgive him even if he doped on more than one occasion.
In defence of Stuart O'Grady
He is guilty for one drug related incident, in 1998 in which I think he should be punished, but forgiven. People have been making all sorts of assumptions as to how frequently he doped. The only thing proven is one case. Perhaps I am slightly biased, but if you look at the facts and cast aside suspicions, what I’m saying is reasonable.
In defence of Stuart O'Grady
I’m 17, and the message is about loyalty. Innocent till proven guilty
In defence of Stuart O'Grady
Gap down to 2.20. Simon Gerrans feeling in good shape for the tour. Robert Gesink worried about the difference in temperature between Europe and Australia. Cadel Evans is nervous about the final battle up Menglers Hill. The peloton is flying!
2014 Tour Down Under: Stage 1 live blog