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Sean loves to combine his love of sport and writing. He played country football for 20 years in Victoria and Western Australia, along the way breaking, straining or tearing every bone, muscle or tendon in his body. He recently won the Stringybark Australian Short Story History award for his depiction of the Aboriginal game of Marngrook and his work has appeared in various newspapers and anthologies. He has covered recent editions of the Jayco-Herald Sun Tour and the Australian road cycling titles. Despite a couple of second places in D grade club races he is still not quite as fast as Cadel!
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Day four of the olympic track cycling carnival will feature the medal races for the men's sprint, the first three legs of the multi-disciplined…
Barring an unforeseen catastrophe, Team Sky leader Chris Froome will coast into Paris tonight and claim his third Tour de France title. In doing…
Last night's stage on the daunting slopes of Mont Ventoux should have provided the Tour de France with its most spectacular highlights. Instead we…
The selflessness displayed by Orica-BikeExchange's Daryl Impey on Stage 10 of the 2016 Tour de France epitomises what an ultimate team player he is.…
Here is the summary of everything good, bad and ugly about the 2016 Tour de France. Adam Yates Can Adam Yates do an 'Esteban…
Are we down to just two genuine contenders for the 2016 Tour de France already? The race may only be three stages old, but…
Bernard Hinault thinks that Aussie Michael Matthews might take the yellow jersey on tonight's uphill finish at Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, which is just as well because…
It was fitting that Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge) finished first and second on general classification at the 2016 Giro d'Italia. The…
Orica-GreenEDGE's Esteban Chaves has claimed the Queen Stage of the 2016 Giro d'Italia. The 'Colombian Kangaroo' brought what had been a rather sleepy Grand…
Orica-GreenEDGE may have had more successful Grand Tours, but in terms of rider development, this Giro d'Italia is perhaps one of its most important.…
Despite two top ten finishes, young Australian speedster Caleb Ewan is struggling to make an impact at the pointy end of the Giro d'Italia's…
Marcel Kittel's stunning start to the 2016 road cycling season has continued at the Giro d'Italia, with the Etixx-Quickstep sprinter dominating the early sprint…
Nothing captures the beauty, the suffering and the brutality of professional road cycling like a Grand Tour. The sprints are faster, the mountains higher…
Tour de France hero Chris Froome has won the 63rd Herald Sun Tour. The Team Sky leader took the overall lead from teammate Peter…
The stars of Australia's summer of cycling have come out to play at the 63rd Jayco Herald Sun Tour. While it was Will Clarke…
On Friday I attempted to rank the top 10 Brownlow medallists since 1975. Based solely on my own recollections, the purely subjective list had…
On Monday night, after the heat and clamour of this weekend's games have faded and the results have been scribed into the record books,…
A champion team will always beat a team of champions. How many times have we heard that old chestnut being bandied about by tired…
Are Hawthorn a genuine chance at winning three premierships in a row? We'll know more after tonight's game against West Coast in Perth, but…
Courtenay Dempsey's reckless tackle on Brett Deledio in last weekend's Essendon versus Richmond game at the MCG was one of the scariest things I've…
I think the problem with Porte is that he still has too many bad days over a three week race. For him to be a chance he needs everything to go right. This little mishap hasn’t helped him and if he has even one bad day in the mountains then Froome and Quintana will smoke him. He could lose minutes. I hope he doesn’t of course, but past performances indicate that there is a likelihood that it may happen.
I like Dan Martin. He’ll give 120 percent and I’d love for him to make an impact. I’d love to see either of the French boys press for victory as well, but I don’t think it will happen this year.
Is the 2016 Tour de France a race between two?
Yeah, I agree Delbeato. Full noise or not though, Porte was the protected rider. There should have been at least one rider next to him and aware of what was going on. Porte still would have lost time, but at least there would have been a show of support.
Is the 2016 Tour de France a race between two?
Porte can still get a high GC position. He just needs to ride consistently and not suffer any bad days. Easier said then done though!
Is the 2016 Tour de France a race between two?
Yes, it was a great comeback by Nibali, but he wasn’t racing against Froome or Quintana.
Is the 2016 Tour de France a race between two?
He’s every possible chance to achieve that. If Sky really grab the race by the scruff of the neck he’ll definitely get a high GC position.
Is the 2016 Tour de France a race between two?
Team Sky always seem to pounce early. They don’t mind getting an early advantage and then defending it. Will they try the same tactic on the lumpy stage 5 tomorrow? It’ll make for an interesting stage. Quintana lost time early in last year’s Tour when there was a split in the peloton. If that hadn’t have happened then the end result may have been different. Can’t wait to see him head to head with Froome. I’d like to see Quintana win, but Team Sky are a well oiled unit and they may just get Froome over the line once again.
Is the 2016 Tour de France a race between two?
Bloody commentators! They should keep their opinions to themselves! 😉
Time for Orica-BikeExchange to target the green jersey
Agree that Sagan is almost unbeatable in the points classification at the moment, but I just reckon OBE need a focus rather than an ad-hoc approach to the Tour. At least then everyone is on the same page, working together to achieve a goal. Gerrans has already been quoted as saying it doesn’t matter who wins the stages, as long as some one does, which says to me that he won’t be working for anyone (especially not Bling) and will be chasing his own glory. That is all well and good, but when Matthews and Gerrans both target the same stage, then usually neither of them win. Having an overall team goal to aim for might be the better option. Don’t get me wrong though, I’ll still cheer long and loud for any stage wins that OBE manage to snag!
Time for Orica-BikeExchange to target the green jersey
Slight spanner in the works for Bling last night when he was involved in the crash that marred the finish of the race. Hopefully his run of bad luck at the Tour is now well and truly over.
Time for Orica-BikeExchange to target the green jersey
Well that’s another Grand Tour done and dusted. I’d just like to thank everyone for their feedback and comments on my articles over the past three weeks. It is fun to write about cycling and even more fun when you know people are reading what you write and taking the time to join in the discussion. Thanks heaps. See you all at the Tour!
Nibali and Chaves save the Giro
Yes I am remiss in not mentioning Jungels. If anyone has a big future in the sport then it is him! What a remarkable ride by the Luxembourger. He certainly had some of the bigger names worried and was not overawed by the occasion. He was another who turned the final week of racing into such a compelling spectacle.
Nibali and Chaves save the Giro
OGE have the Yates brothers who many have pegged as potential Grand Tour contenders in their own right. Personally I’d love to see them do an apprenticeship as domestiques for Chaves. Whether it will happen is another story, but imagine having them, plus Plaza and Xturruka working for the little Colombian?
Agree, the Giro is a great race. Almost always more exciting racing than the Tour de France. This last week has just reinforced that!
Nibali and Chaves save the Giro
The final week of racing was just so entertaining. Just when we thought we had a handle on where the race was headed another twist would skew things in a different direction. Full marks to OGE and Chaves. What a marvellous sportsman he is too! His attitude both on and off the bike is impeccable. Let’s hope his smile is a feature of OGE teams for a long time to come.
Nibali and Chaves save the Giro
The brothers Yates have huge potential but I think Chaves time is now. Whether the brothers would be happy to work for Chaves is another story but at this stage of their development it wouldn’t hurt them. Neither of them would be in serious contention for a Grand Tour at the moment, but Chaves has proved that he is. Richie Porte has worked for Chris Froome and Alejandro Valverde has worked for Nairo Quintana, so why not the brothers for Chaves? The Yates brothers time will come, but their immediate value to OGE may be to work in support of Chaves. It will be an interesting scenario however it works out!
'Aussie' Esteban Chaves on track for Giro podium after winning Queen Stage
Totally agree Diggs. Would love to see the Yates brothers as well as Plaza and Txurruka working for him in a full tilt attempt by OGE for a grand tour victory.
'Aussie' Esteban Chaves on track for Giro podium after winning Queen Stage
He probably can Justin, but he wouldn’t want to be caught out like he was on yesterday’s stage (stage 16). He was lucky to be able to bridge across to Nibali’s group and limit his losses against Kruijswijk and Valverde. I’m thinking he is more likely to hold onto one of the minor podium spots rather than claw his way to number one. But, hey, before this Giro began I was thinking 5th or 6th at best for Chaves, so anything is possible. One thing for sure is that he has the right attitude and he will fight and fight until he can fight no more. He is just a glorious bike rider with the personality to match.
'Aussie' Esteban Chaves on track for Giro podium after winning Queen Stage
Bernie asked a question after giving away match point recently that went something along the lines of, “would you care if you were 23 and had 10 millon dollars?”
Well, yes I would actually. I would have had enough pride in my own performance to actually fight the match through until its end.
Leave Bernie alone! Why we should lay off the Tomic bashing
You know, I had my doubts about Esteban coming into this Giro. I thought fifth or sixth place would be a good result for him. But look what he has done! Wow. Exceeded expectations in last night’s time trial as well! He is taking some pretty good form into the last week. Very exciting!
'Aussie' Esteban Chaves on track for Giro podium after winning Queen Stage
That smile was even wider after last night’s time trial Andrew! Nibali on the other hand……
'Aussie' Esteban Chaves on track for Giro podium after winning Queen Stage
Paint balling does seem like a strange thing to do after a game, although I guess the Suns are playing bruise free footy at the moment so they have to get their bodies battered in other ways! It’s still not as strange or stupid as the day the Crows decided to go bare foot fire walking! Not surprisingly it ended in tears. Just ask Nigel Smart!
I reckon my beloved Bombers might just get up this week.
Round 9 AFL tips and best bets
It’s always exciting when new talent starts coming through.
Still not convinced about the nose-over-the-front-wheel position though 🙂
Promise, not podiums on display for GreenEDGE at Giro
Hi Edward, yep, I have no doubt Caleb’s day will come as well. Fantastic effort against Greipel last night too! Loved the way he used Greipel’s leadout train too! Pity he got squeezed into the barriers and had to stop pedalling for a moment.
You have to admire the sacrifices elite sports people make don’t you? Talent will only take you so far. To get right to the top you need dedication and drive as well. Caleb certainly has that. Bernaud Tomic on the other hand…….
Giro sprints a harsh reality for Caleb Ewan
Agree, Esteban doesn’t look out of place with the big names on the climbs. He seems relatively comfortable and hasn’t been stretched by anyone yet. Totally agree with you over OGE’s Backstage Passes. How awesome are they? I think they are one of the reasons why we all love Esteban so much. We got to know him by watching all the clips and his easy going nature in such a high pressure environment has been a delight to see!
With regards to Valverde, I think we’ll see his true colours come out on the really tough climbs that are still to come. Can’t see him playing second fiddle to Amador for much longer!
As to the safety of Caleb’s crazy sprint position – don’t try it at home!
Promise, not podiums on display for GreenEDGE at Giro
I agree that there has been an awful lot of hype surrounding Caleb and I think that has led to some unfair expectations of someone who is only at the beginning of their career. We must remember that Caleb is only into his second full year of pro-cycling and is still just 21 years of age. Unfortunately Aussie sports fans can be an impatient lot, and if success doesn’t come straight away the knives and criticism seems to come out.
Caleb will win races as his body matures and he becomes accustomed to the harder/longer/faster stages of worldtour racing. Whether he can consistently beat the super sprinters such as Greipel or Kittel and the generation that follows them remains to be seen but I have no doubt that he will at least be competitive against the best.
Personally I think his progress is tracking pretty well. We won’t know for sure how successful he is going to be for at least another two years or so but he certainly hasn’t ‘peaked’ yet and won’t for quite some time.
Giro sprints a harsh reality for Caleb Ewan
I can’t imagine it happening to many of the leading riders of any generation! Pretty poor management from BMC.
Contador can come back but it depends on his injuries and how he is feeling. He is not the rider he once was and this set back will probably prevent him from mounting a serious challenge, but if anyone can, then it will be him.
Is the 2016 Tour de France a race between two?