Cyclists, Team Managers Back Plan

[Wahooti Fandango]

Cyclists, team managers back plan
SAMANTHA LANE, ADELAIDE
January 22, 2010

Top Australian cyclists and team managers are in furious agreement that a secondary stage race held after the Tour Down Under would be a major boost for the sport's growth domestically, and retired Olympic gold medallist Brad McGee believes it could be the crucial step in an Australian team riding in the Tour de France.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cycling/cyclists-team-managers-back-plan-20100121-moe1.html

If this was to come to fruition it would be awesome.

 

[Fender]

Imagine an East Coast week long event. Up the mountains and ranges between say Sydney/Melbourne and Brisbane

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Imagine an East Coast week long event. Up the mountains and ranges between say Sydney/Melbourne and Brisbane

Great idea.

 

[Freakie]

So wish this would come true. Melbourne is the heart of cycling in this country anyway!

 

[Blue York]

Imagine an East Coast week long event. Up the mountains and ranges between say Sydney/Melbourne and Brisbane

Won't happen. To early to put on a tough race which screws up the preparation of top riders for the spring classics and big races in th middle of the year.

 

[Secular Bicep]

I would prefer the Herald Sun Tour stays in October - that means they can go to the Victorian highlands when they want. No way will they go to the high country if it's moved to February.

What I would suggest is another race, a new race to place in a slot after the Tour Down Under.

I've thought Melbourne to Warrnambool would be great to move forward but I don't think they can. Therefore, a new event needs to be organized.

A 5 day stage race including a time trial. Why I say time trial is it can open Adelaide up for a prologue in future years. Teams don't want to bring Time Trial bikes all the way to Australia this early in the season.

However, if there is another event, then they will consider it as they are here for longer.

So I propose that the Victorian Government get together with guys like Michael Hands and John Craven and work together to build a new race in Melbourne and keep the Sun Tour later in the year.

The other reason why I suggest this way is the sun tour gives our domestic riders options to ride against guys like Wiggins etc when they come out. If the Sun Tour moves to February, they won't get that chance.

What I do suggest to grow domestic sport is the TDU scrap that UNI-SA team and give our best domestic team a chance to compete - and that is Fly V. Fly V are the only hope for us to get into the Pro Tour - they need to be given a chance in the TDU. Backward step not including them this year IMO.

Turtur, however, won't like the idea I'm proposing because he's an idiot.

January - Nationals/Tour Down Under
January & February - Tour of Victoria
August - Tour of Geelong
August - Tour of Gippsland
August - Tour of Murray River
September - Launceston - New Norfolk Classic
September - Tour of Tasmania
September - Goulburn - Sydney
September - Tour of Canberra - or is that in August?
September - Grafton - Invernell
October - Herald Sun Tour
October - Melbourne to Warrnambool
October - Shipwreck Coast Classic
November - Tour of Perth

And add the other big races I missed and that will be a better Calendar.

 

[Freakie]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cyc...tour-move?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=news_headlines

Cycling Australia has confirmed the Jayco Herald Sun Tour will move to February 2011, as reported earlier on Cyclingnews. The governing body will submit the dates to the International Cycling Union for its 2011 calendar, with the race’s 58th edition set to take place from February 8-13.

Woohoo!!!!!!

 

[ballanFYNE]

Great idea.

To this

 

[ObaMartins]

Imagine an East Coast week long event. Up the mountains and ranges between say Sydney/Melbourne and Brisbane

Check out this. Me and my mate actually rode probally about a 100kms of it the other weekend.

http://www.mapmywalk.com/route/au/gold coast/198127883998835905

Go to the elevations would be a great ride.

Unfortuntly Australia can only have easy races on as abit of pre-season training. Real shame, as we could host a cracking bike race. Imagine the ascents up Buller, Perisher etc.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Nice. Went to the final stage this year and it was great.