McEwen to race in Jayco Bay Classic
27/12/2010
After weeks of uncertainty about his future and the possibility of an enforced retirement, Robbie McEwen has turned things around and is looking forward to a busy start to the new season.
He is now a confirmed starter in the Jayco Bay Classic criterium series beginning on January 2, and will use the Geelong based races to get much needed race conditioning after his planned club based events in Queensland were washed out.
While he is expected to give the competition a good shake, the former six time winner of the event played down his chances citing a lack of race fitness as his main concern.
While the stages in the Bay Classic are relatively short, the pace is furious and the racing is brutal, a fact that McEwen hopes will help prepare him for his first major race of the season, the Tour Down Under, where he will make his debut wearing the Radioshack colours of Lance Armstrong's team.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
He is now a confirmed starter in the Jayco Bay Classic criterium series beginning on January 2, and will use the Geelong based races to get much needed race conditioning after his planned club based events in Queensland were washed out.
While he is expected to give the competition a good shake, the former six time winner of the event played down his chances citing a lack of race fitness as his main concern.
While the stages in the Bay Classic are relatively short, the pace is furious and the racing is brutal, a fact that McEwen hopes will help prepare him for his first major race of the season, the Tour Down Under, where he will make his debut wearing the Radioshack colours of Lance Armstrong's team.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
McEwen to Radioshack/Pegasus condemned
24/12/2010
The uncertainty of the past couple of weeks has ended for Robbie McEwen with Lance Armstrong's Radioshack offering the sprinter a career saving lifeline. Fellow Pegasus refugee, Robbie Hunter, will also join Radioshack, which jumped at the chance of signing the two highly credentialled sprinters after losing their fast man, Gert Steegmans, to Quickstep.
It was an early Christmas present gratefully accepted by McEwen who was contemplating retirement if a deal could not be brokered. While it is yet to be confirmed if McEwen will participate in the Tour Down Under, he must be strongly considered despite Radioshack already naming a team for the event.
While the former Pegasus riders gradually find themselves new homes, the UCI has finally announced that financial concerns and a lack of professionalism by the team's management were the main reasons it was denied a pro-continental licence.
The lack of financial guarantees left the UCI concerned that Pegasus may not have been able to see out the season while its inability, on two separate occasions, to submit required paperwork on time was untidy, showing a lack of administrative ability and professionalism.
All hope of seeing an Australian registered team compete at Pro level is not completely gone however. The word is that two other ventures are working quietly behind the scenes to launch an attack on 2012 and beyond. Stay tuned.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
It was an early Christmas present gratefully accepted by McEwen who was contemplating retirement if a deal could not be brokered. While it is yet to be confirmed if McEwen will participate in the Tour Down Under, he must be strongly considered despite Radioshack already naming a team for the event.
While the former Pegasus riders gradually find themselves new homes, the UCI has finally announced that financial concerns and a lack of professionalism by the team's management were the main reasons it was denied a pro-continental licence.
The lack of financial guarantees left the UCI concerned that Pegasus may not have been able to see out the season while its inability, on two separate occasions, to submit required paperwork on time was untidy, showing a lack of administrative ability and professionalism.
All hope of seeing an Australian registered team compete at Pro level is not completely gone however. The word is that two other ventures are working quietly behind the scenes to launch an attack on 2012 and beyond. Stay tuned.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
McEwen - Radioshack or retirement?
23/12/2010
The aftermath of the Pegasus Racing collapse has left riders struggling to find new homes. To date, only two of the roster have been signed by other teams. Canadian Svein Tuft and Belgian Dominique Cornu have secured places elsewhere, while high profile riders such as Robbie McEwen and Robbie Hunter are still homeless.
McEwen in particular has been greatly affected by the ordeal. Hoping to end his career on a high note racing for an Australian team, he now faces an uncertain future and possible retirement. While Lance Armstrong's Radioshack team have shown an interest, any further development depends on whether or not they can, or are willing to, shuffle their roster and finances in a bid to secure the 38 year old sprinter.
Unfortunately for McEwen, retirement has become an unwanted possibility. If the Radioshack opportunity fails to eventuate, there maybe no other option but to hang up the cleats. It would be a sad end to what has been a stellar career that has taken him to multiple Tour de France stage victories and three green sprinter's jerseys.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this news [email protected]
McEwen in particular has been greatly affected by the ordeal. Hoping to end his career on a high note racing for an Australian team, he now faces an uncertain future and possible retirement. While Lance Armstrong's Radioshack team have shown an interest, any further development depends on whether or not they can, or are willing to, shuffle their roster and finances in a bid to secure the 38 year old sprinter.
Unfortunately for McEwen, retirement has become an unwanted possibility. If the Radioshack opportunity fails to eventuate, there maybe no other option but to hang up the cleats. It would be a sad end to what has been a stellar career that has taken him to multiple Tour de France stage victories and three green sprinter's jerseys.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this news [email protected]
Australian summer set to thrill
22/12/2010
Australian cycling fans are salivating at the prospect of seeing some of the world's best cyclists in action this summer. With the Jayco Bay Classic criterium series, the national championships and, of course, the Tour Down Under, all boasting their strongest fields ever, the sporting public will be spoilt for choice this January as all the action unfolds right in front of them.
The Jayco Bay Classic kicks things off, running from January 2nd – 5th. In its 22nd year, the world's fastest criterium is renowned for its thrills and spills and is based in Geelong and Williamstown. With former winners Bayden Cook and Mark Renshaw being joined by Commonwealth Games champ Allan Davis, U23 road champion Michael Matthews, Richie Porte, Graeme Brown, Matthew Goss and the Sulzberger brothers, this edition promises to be one of the best despite the absence of Stuart O'Grady through injury.
Not to be missed: The popular twilight stage held on the tight Ritchie Boulevard circuit along the foreshore of Geelong's Eastern Beach (Tues 4th).
The nationals, held in the Ballarat region run from January 6th – 11th. With criterium, time trial and road race titles up for grabs, the good people of Ballarat will be treated to an extravaganza of cycling.
Track hero and Australian cyclist of the year, Cameron Meyer (his brother Travis won the road title last year), will be attempting the triple crown, an ambitious task but one that he is more than capable of. He will have fierce opposition though with the likes of Giro hero Richie Porte and multiple grand tour stage winner Simon Gerrans also hungry for success. Add an eager Allan Davis to mix and you can be sure that the fireworks will fly.
The criterium will be held in the centre of Ballarat around the tree lined Sturt Street precinct (6th Jan), the road races will be held over the challenging Mt. Buninyong circuit (8th & 9th Jan) and the time trials will be held at Lake Learmonth (11th Jan).
Not to be missed: The atmosphere in the township of Buninyong and on the slopes of the climb during the road races. Soak in the ambience and then relax with a coffee or milkshake at the Chocolate Shop near the start/finish line.
Last, but certainly not least is the Tour Down Under, held in and around Adelaide from January 16th – 23rd. With crowds in the hundreds of thousands lining both the street circuits and the road routes, there is little doubt that this is the premier cycling event in Australia. This year promises to be extra special with the world's fastest sprinter, Mark Cavendish, going head to head with arch rival Tyler Farrer and last year's winner Andre Greipel. Cavendish will be aided in his quest by Australian lead out men, Mark Renshaw and Matthew Goss, and is set to dazzle Australian audiences with his speed and audacity. Add to that the small matter of this being Lance Armstrong's final competitive ride outside of the USA, and the race becomes one that must be attended.
Not to be missed: Stage 5. Stand on the roadside at Willunga Hill and get a taste of what the crowds at the Tour de France must be like. With good planning and a little walking you will be able to see the riders pass by five times.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
The Jayco Bay Classic kicks things off, running from January 2nd – 5th. In its 22nd year, the world's fastest criterium is renowned for its thrills and spills and is based in Geelong and Williamstown. With former winners Bayden Cook and Mark Renshaw being joined by Commonwealth Games champ Allan Davis, U23 road champion Michael Matthews, Richie Porte, Graeme Brown, Matthew Goss and the Sulzberger brothers, this edition promises to be one of the best despite the absence of Stuart O'Grady through injury.
Not to be missed: The popular twilight stage held on the tight Ritchie Boulevard circuit along the foreshore of Geelong's Eastern Beach (Tues 4th).
The nationals, held in the Ballarat region run from January 6th – 11th. With criterium, time trial and road race titles up for grabs, the good people of Ballarat will be treated to an extravaganza of cycling.
Track hero and Australian cyclist of the year, Cameron Meyer (his brother Travis won the road title last year), will be attempting the triple crown, an ambitious task but one that he is more than capable of. He will have fierce opposition though with the likes of Giro hero Richie Porte and multiple grand tour stage winner Simon Gerrans also hungry for success. Add an eager Allan Davis to mix and you can be sure that the fireworks will fly.
The criterium will be held in the centre of Ballarat around the tree lined Sturt Street precinct (6th Jan), the road races will be held over the challenging Mt. Buninyong circuit (8th & 9th Jan) and the time trials will be held at Lake Learmonth (11th Jan).
Not to be missed: The atmosphere in the township of Buninyong and on the slopes of the climb during the road races. Soak in the ambience and then relax with a coffee or milkshake at the Chocolate Shop near the start/finish line.
Last, but certainly not least is the Tour Down Under, held in and around Adelaide from January 16th – 23rd. With crowds in the hundreds of thousands lining both the street circuits and the road routes, there is little doubt that this is the premier cycling event in Australia. This year promises to be extra special with the world's fastest sprinter, Mark Cavendish, going head to head with arch rival Tyler Farrer and last year's winner Andre Greipel. Cavendish will be aided in his quest by Australian lead out men, Mark Renshaw and Matthew Goss, and is set to dazzle Australian audiences with his speed and audacity. Add to that the small matter of this being Lance Armstrong's final competitive ride outside of the USA, and the race becomes one that must be attended.
Not to be missed: Stage 5. Stand on the roadside at Willunga Hill and get a taste of what the crowds at the Tour de France must be like. With good planning and a little walking you will be able to see the riders pass by five times.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
Matthew Lloyd breaks shoulder
21/12/2010
Australia's Giro d'Italia King of the Mountain, Matthew Lloyd broke his shoulder yesterday. Although he was not scheduled to ride next month's Tour Down Under, the injury will prevent him from riding in the national championships which will be held in Buninyong in early January. The former national champion was set to take on the likes of Cameron Meyer, Richie Porte and Allan Davis in one of the strongest fields ever assembled for the event.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this news [email protected]
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this news [email protected]
Dream over for Pegasus
21/12/2010
The UCI have denied Australian professional cycling team Pegasus Racing a pro-continental licence. The decision not only ends the dreams of owner Chris White who had hoped to have his team race the grand tours, but shatters the careers of riders who had signed up to the squad in good faith earlier this year.
For riders such as Robbie McEwen and Robbie Hunter, finding a new home may not be so difficult, although finding a place on a ProTeam, most of which would have settled their rosters and budgets for 2011, may not be easy. For lesser credentialled riders the task could well prove impossible.
For McEwen in particular the decision must be disappointing. The popular Australian would have been looking forward to finishing his career with an Australian registered team. While a start in the Tour Down Under had not been confirmed, the sprinter had expected to take part in other early season races such as the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman. That seems unlikely now unless he can find a new team of high ranking within the next couple of weeks.
The decision to deny Pegasus Racing a second tier pro-continental licence follows a similar decision made last month by the UCI which thwarted the squad's original goal of obtaining ProTeam status. On both occasions Pegasus was given an extension to submit extra paperwork after their original applications were deemed incomplete.
While the UCI is yet to offer an official explanation for their decision, the withdrawal of a key sponsor coupled with other financial and management concerns are believed to have been the main reasons.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
For riders such as Robbie McEwen and Robbie Hunter, finding a new home may not be so difficult, although finding a place on a ProTeam, most of which would have settled their rosters and budgets for 2011, may not be easy. For lesser credentialled riders the task could well prove impossible.
For McEwen in particular the decision must be disappointing. The popular Australian would have been looking forward to finishing his career with an Australian registered team. While a start in the Tour Down Under had not been confirmed, the sprinter had expected to take part in other early season races such as the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman. That seems unlikely now unless he can find a new team of high ranking within the next couple of weeks.
The decision to deny Pegasus Racing a second tier pro-continental licence follows a similar decision made last month by the UCI which thwarted the squad's original goal of obtaining ProTeam status. On both occasions Pegasus was given an extension to submit extra paperwork after their original applications were deemed incomplete.
While the UCI is yet to offer an official explanation for their decision, the withdrawal of a key sponsor coupled with other financial and management concerns are believed to have been the main reasons.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
Pegasus find sponsor but not safe yet
15/12/2010
Chris White, the driving force behind beleaguered Australian outfit Pegasus Racing, is claiming that an eleventh hour sponsor may yet see the team survive to take on the world's best next season.
After failing to be granted a ProTeam licence by the UCI in November, the team was also denied a second tier pro-continental licence last week after submitting an 'incomplete' application.
It came to light that a major sponsor had withdrawn their support and that the team was placed in financial hardship and no longer satisfied the UCI's licence requirements. Pegasus were then granted a few days extension to allow them to get their paperwork in order and prove to the UCI that they are ready for the rigours of professional racing.
That extension ends today (15th) at 4pm central European time, a deadline that Chris White says will be met. He claims that a sponsor has come on board and covered the financial shortfall although he still refrains from announcing who the sponsor is. This lack of transparency has been a trait of Pegasus since day one and is growing thin with its supporter base who are getting sick of the baseless spin that continues to emanate from its management.
While publicly White remains confident of being granted a pro-continental licence, others are not so sure. Cyclingnews.com reported earlier in the week that the UCI would not be promoting Pegasus to pro-continental level regardless of the status of their application.
While the deadline ends tonight Australian time, the UCI are not expected to make a decision for a couple of days.
For the sake of the riders who signed in good faith and the supporters who are craving an Australian team to support, let's hope that Chris White is finally living in the real world and not just creating more fantasies.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
After failing to be granted a ProTeam licence by the UCI in November, the team was also denied a second tier pro-continental licence last week after submitting an 'incomplete' application.
It came to light that a major sponsor had withdrawn their support and that the team was placed in financial hardship and no longer satisfied the UCI's licence requirements. Pegasus were then granted a few days extension to allow them to get their paperwork in order and prove to the UCI that they are ready for the rigours of professional racing.
That extension ends today (15th) at 4pm central European time, a deadline that Chris White says will be met. He claims that a sponsor has come on board and covered the financial shortfall although he still refrains from announcing who the sponsor is. This lack of transparency has been a trait of Pegasus since day one and is growing thin with its supporter base who are getting sick of the baseless spin that continues to emanate from its management.
While publicly White remains confident of being granted a pro-continental licence, others are not so sure. Cyclingnews.com reported earlier in the week that the UCI would not be promoting Pegasus to pro-continental level regardless of the status of their application.
While the deadline ends tonight Australian time, the UCI are not expected to make a decision for a couple of days.
For the sake of the riders who signed in good faith and the supporters who are craving an Australian team to support, let's hope that Chris White is finally living in the real world and not just creating more fantasies.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this article [email protected]
Pegasus dream becomes a nightmare
12/12/2010
The dream of Australia having its own ProTeam racing around the streets and roads of Europe next year has taken a demoralising hit. The UCI have refused to grant Pegasus Racing with a pro-continental licence stating that their application is incomplete.
The decision comes as a shock to those who have been following the development of the new team, as its promotion to pro-continental level was seen as a mere formality. It remains to be seen if the squad can recover from this latest disappointment and it is believed that several of its riders are now seeking employment elsewhere.
Team management, led by Chris White, have always been upbeat and confident of success. They have talked up the squad and its goals for 2011 and beyond, raising the hopes of all Australian cycling fans who, for years, have craved a national team to support at the highest level.
So convincing was the propaganda coming from the Pegasus publicity machine that we all believed, whole heartedly, that something special was about to happen, if not in 2011, then definitely in 2012. But somewhere along the line things haven't gone according to the script, and the hapless supporters have watched as set back after set back has slowly unravelled what was to be a grand dream.
Perhaps a more honest appraisal of where they were at instead of grandiose statements about grand tour participation and high profile recruits would have been more appropriate, especially as things began to unravel before the world championships in Geelong.
With talk that money was no object when it came to the rider roster, whispers were being made about meetings with Fabian Cancellara and other high profile cyclists. In reality they signed aging Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen and South Africa's Robbie Hunter, a solid, but hardly spectacular rider. Further big name signings were to be announced during the world championships along with the name of a major sponsor, but alarm bells began to sound when no statements were forthcoming. Feebly muttered excuses about waiting for the Contador/contaminated meat scandal to die down raised eyebrows, but were meekly accepted by those of us hoping that the dream was still alive.
The deadline for ProTour licence applications came and went, and despite expectations that sponsorship and further roster details would be announced beforehand, the silence coming from the Pegasus camp was deafening. Not surprisingly the UCI deemed the team not strong enough to be promoted to the highest level.
While disappointing for fans and riders alike, the lack of a ProTour licence was not a complete disaster. Again, Chris White came out positive and enthusiastic, stating that the team would go down the wild card path and that he was already having promising discussions with race organisers. Whatever happened the team would still be based in Europe and race under a pro-continental licence.
While being accepted as a starter in the relatively obscure Tour of Oman, no such confirmations were received from other early season races such as the Tour of Qatar or Australia's own Tour Down Under. And now, with its failure to grab a pro-continental licence due to an 'incomplete application' the team's very existence is at threat.
Riders and supporters who were lured by the assurances of team management and the promise of being a part of something special have been left lamenting their decisions to sign up. The scramble is now on for some of them to secure their future elsewhere, a difficult proposition this late in the year as most other teams have finalised their rosters and finances for 2011.
Pegasus have been given until December 15th to get their application in order. It is their last chance at redemption, but one gets the impression that the UCI is tiring of them. If this attempt fails then it is unlikely that Pegasus would get another chance next year. No matter how much it might desire a second chance it is unlikely that, given the circumstances of this year, it would be able to attract riders or support staff. Once bitten, twice shy.
If Chris White harbours any desire to see his team on the world stage next year or there after, it is time he dropped the spin and came out with an honest appraisal of where his team is at, and offer up some genuine explanations as to what has gone wrong. Only then will we begin to trust him again. And then, only maybe.
Sean Q Lee 12/12/2010
Comment on this article [email protected]
Readers comments-
Hubbard (on cyclingnews.com forum) - "That's a very well written piece. A fair, frank and unbiased view, and the last paragraph has some real resonance."
TeamSkyFans (on cyclingnews.com forum) - "Spot on article, and pretty much what some of us have been saying for months. Unfortunately an awful lot of people seem to have fallen for the spin."
The decision comes as a shock to those who have been following the development of the new team, as its promotion to pro-continental level was seen as a mere formality. It remains to be seen if the squad can recover from this latest disappointment and it is believed that several of its riders are now seeking employment elsewhere.
Team management, led by Chris White, have always been upbeat and confident of success. They have talked up the squad and its goals for 2011 and beyond, raising the hopes of all Australian cycling fans who, for years, have craved a national team to support at the highest level.
So convincing was the propaganda coming from the Pegasus publicity machine that we all believed, whole heartedly, that something special was about to happen, if not in 2011, then definitely in 2012. But somewhere along the line things haven't gone according to the script, and the hapless supporters have watched as set back after set back has slowly unravelled what was to be a grand dream.
Perhaps a more honest appraisal of where they were at instead of grandiose statements about grand tour participation and high profile recruits would have been more appropriate, especially as things began to unravel before the world championships in Geelong.
With talk that money was no object when it came to the rider roster, whispers were being made about meetings with Fabian Cancellara and other high profile cyclists. In reality they signed aging Australian sprinter Robbie McEwen and South Africa's Robbie Hunter, a solid, but hardly spectacular rider. Further big name signings were to be announced during the world championships along with the name of a major sponsor, but alarm bells began to sound when no statements were forthcoming. Feebly muttered excuses about waiting for the Contador/contaminated meat scandal to die down raised eyebrows, but were meekly accepted by those of us hoping that the dream was still alive.
The deadline for ProTour licence applications came and went, and despite expectations that sponsorship and further roster details would be announced beforehand, the silence coming from the Pegasus camp was deafening. Not surprisingly the UCI deemed the team not strong enough to be promoted to the highest level.
While disappointing for fans and riders alike, the lack of a ProTour licence was not a complete disaster. Again, Chris White came out positive and enthusiastic, stating that the team would go down the wild card path and that he was already having promising discussions with race organisers. Whatever happened the team would still be based in Europe and race under a pro-continental licence.
While being accepted as a starter in the relatively obscure Tour of Oman, no such confirmations were received from other early season races such as the Tour of Qatar or Australia's own Tour Down Under. And now, with its failure to grab a pro-continental licence due to an 'incomplete application' the team's very existence is at threat.
Riders and supporters who were lured by the assurances of team management and the promise of being a part of something special have been left lamenting their decisions to sign up. The scramble is now on for some of them to secure their future elsewhere, a difficult proposition this late in the year as most other teams have finalised their rosters and finances for 2011.
Pegasus have been given until December 15th to get their application in order. It is their last chance at redemption, but one gets the impression that the UCI is tiring of them. If this attempt fails then it is unlikely that Pegasus would get another chance next year. No matter how much it might desire a second chance it is unlikely that, given the circumstances of this year, it would be able to attract riders or support staff. Once bitten, twice shy.
If Chris White harbours any desire to see his team on the world stage next year or there after, it is time he dropped the spin and came out with an honest appraisal of where his team is at, and offer up some genuine explanations as to what has gone wrong. Only then will we begin to trust him again. And then, only maybe.
Sean Q Lee 12/12/2010
Comment on this article [email protected]
Readers comments-
Hubbard (on cyclingnews.com forum) - "That's a very well written piece. A fair, frank and unbiased view, and the last paragraph has some real resonance."
TeamSkyFans (on cyclingnews.com forum) - "Spot on article, and pretty much what some of us have been saying for months. Unfortunately an awful lot of people seem to have fallen for the spin."
Pegasus confirmed for Tour of Oman
10/12/10
As predicted last week on this website, Australia's Pro-Continental squad, Pegasus Racing has been included in the start list for February's Tour of Oman.
An eight man team will make the journey to Oman which will hopefully be the second race in a 'double header' with the squad also confident of winning a place in the Tour of Qatar which is to be contested the week before.
Marquee rider Robbie McEwen is likely to spearhead at least one of the races as he looks at the possiblity of riding into 2012 before retiring. Cyclingnews.com are reporting that Robbie is keen to end his career at the 2012 Tour Down Under, a scenario that all Australian cycling fans would enjoy.
If Robbie does 'do an Armstrong' and finish his pro-career at the South Australian event, he would do so in front of an adoring home crowd.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this news [email protected]
An eight man team will make the journey to Oman which will hopefully be the second race in a 'double header' with the squad also confident of winning a place in the Tour of Qatar which is to be contested the week before.
Marquee rider Robbie McEwen is likely to spearhead at least one of the races as he looks at the possiblity of riding into 2012 before retiring. Cyclingnews.com are reporting that Robbie is keen to end his career at the 2012 Tour Down Under, a scenario that all Australian cycling fans would enjoy.
If Robbie does 'do an Armstrong' and finish his pro-career at the South Australian event, he would do so in front of an adoring home crowd.
Sean Q Lee
Comment on this news [email protected]
Inaugural Downunder Cycling Awards
(and Cycling Australia's awards as well)
7/12/2010
With seven categories up for grabs and the naming of our top ten Antipodean cyclists for 2010, we'd like to welcome you to the inaugural Downunder Cycling awards. We are aware that Cycling Australia have also just held their awards night and that they hold some importance, so their results are also listed (but you will have to search further down to find them).
So, without further ado, your award winners for 2010 are...drum roll please...
2010 Inaugural Downunder Cycling awards (road cycling only)
Most outstanding cyclist: Cadel Evans
A no-brainer. Wore the leaders jerseys at the Giro and Tour and won Fleche Wallonne.
Most oustanding sprinter: Robbie McEwen
Competition from Goss and Davis but six top five finishes at le Tour and victories at the Eneco and in Mallorca got him over the line.
Most outstanding climber: Matthew Lloyd
Won the mountains classification at the Giro. A chance to ride for GC in 2011.
Best new talent: Richie Porte
Wore leaders jersey at Giro and finished seventh overall. Won young riders jersey. Great TT at worlds.
Most outstanding performance in a race or stage of a race: Cadel Evans (stage 7, Giro d'Italia)
Who could forget Evans covered in mud, slipping and sliding up the strade bianche and then having the energy to sprint away from his highly fancied opponents for perhaps the toughest victory of his career.
Best Australian rider: Cadel Evans
Best New Zealand rider: Greg Henderson
Victories at Paris-Nice, the Eneco and the Tour of Britain, and 3rd place overall at the TDU.
Top 10 for 2010
1st – Cadel Evans (A) 165 points
2nd – Robbie McEwen (A) 127
3rd – Michael Rogers (A) 84
4th – Greg Henderson (NZ) 78
5th – Matthew Goss (A) 75
6th – Allan Davis (A) 70
7th – Richie Porte (A) 57
8th – Julian Dean (NZ) 51
9th – Graham Brown (A) 45
10th – Hayden Roulston (NZ) 32
Our top 10 was decided by awarding riders points for their performances in various races. Good results in grand tours and historical/classic races earned more points than lesser ranked races. Points were awarded for all races ranked 1.1/2.1 or higher. Commonwealth games results were also included.
Cycling Australia Awards
Cyclist of the year: Cameron Meyer
Elite road cyclist (male): Cadel Evans
Elite road cyclist (female): Rochelle Gilmore
Track cyclist (male): Cameron Meyer
Track cyclist (female): Anna Meares
People's choice: Richie Porte
Comment on this article [email protected]
So, without further ado, your award winners for 2010 are...drum roll please...
2010 Inaugural Downunder Cycling awards (road cycling only)
Most outstanding cyclist: Cadel Evans
A no-brainer. Wore the leaders jerseys at the Giro and Tour and won Fleche Wallonne.
Most oustanding sprinter: Robbie McEwen
Competition from Goss and Davis but six top five finishes at le Tour and victories at the Eneco and in Mallorca got him over the line.
Most outstanding climber: Matthew Lloyd
Won the mountains classification at the Giro. A chance to ride for GC in 2011.
Best new talent: Richie Porte
Wore leaders jersey at Giro and finished seventh overall. Won young riders jersey. Great TT at worlds.
Most outstanding performance in a race or stage of a race: Cadel Evans (stage 7, Giro d'Italia)
Who could forget Evans covered in mud, slipping and sliding up the strade bianche and then having the energy to sprint away from his highly fancied opponents for perhaps the toughest victory of his career.
Best Australian rider: Cadel Evans
Best New Zealand rider: Greg Henderson
Victories at Paris-Nice, the Eneco and the Tour of Britain, and 3rd place overall at the TDU.
Top 10 for 2010
1st – Cadel Evans (A) 165 points
2nd – Robbie McEwen (A) 127
3rd – Michael Rogers (A) 84
4th – Greg Henderson (NZ) 78
5th – Matthew Goss (A) 75
6th – Allan Davis (A) 70
7th – Richie Porte (A) 57
8th – Julian Dean (NZ) 51
9th – Graham Brown (A) 45
10th – Hayden Roulston (NZ) 32
Our top 10 was decided by awarding riders points for their performances in various races. Good results in grand tours and historical/classic races earned more points than lesser ranked races. Points were awarded for all races ranked 1.1/2.1 or higher. Commonwealth games results were also included.
Cycling Australia Awards
Cyclist of the year: Cameron Meyer
Elite road cyclist (male): Cadel Evans
Elite road cyclist (female): Rochelle Gilmore
Track cyclist (male): Cameron Meyer
Track cyclist (female): Anna Meares
People's choice: Richie Porte
Comment on this article [email protected]
Allan Davis to lead Astana at TDU
5/12/2010
It was a no-brainer for Astana to pick Allan Davis as its team leader for next month's Tour Down Under. The race is tailor made for the Australian who displayed brilliant late season form this year with memorable finishes at both the world championships in Geelong and the Commonwealth games in Delhi, sprinting to third and first respectively.
It is a race that Davis has set himself for and knows that he is capable of winning, having carried off the GC trophy once before, in 2009. With a strong team around him, including fellow Aussie Simon Clarke, Astana and Davis are confident that they can start season 2011 in the best possible way.
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It is a race that Davis has set himself for and knows that he is capable of winning, having carried off the GC trophy once before, in 2009. With a strong team around him, including fellow Aussie Simon Clarke, Astana and Davis are confident that they can start season 2011 in the best possible way.
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Pegasus hoping for Down Under debut
3/12/2010
Australia's own pro-continental team, Pegasus Racing, is hoping to make its big time debut at January's Tour Down Under. Although not an automatic selection for the South Australian event, team management is hoping that the TDU organisers offer their team a wildcard entry, similar to the way they did for BMC last year which allowed Cadel Evans to compete on home soil.
Failing a start in the TDU, the team will jet off for the middle east and line up at the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman. Both of these races are gaining in popularity and seem to attract a greater depth of talent as each year passes. They provide a good opportunity for ProTeams to stretch their legs early in the season and have been dominated in the past by sprinters such as Tom Boonen who has won multiple events.
The Tour of Qatar particularly suits Robbie McEwen and it would be a fitting result if the veteran Aussie sprinter could bring Pegasus Racing its first podium finish.
Sean Q Lee
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Failing a start in the TDU, the team will jet off for the middle east and line up at the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman. Both of these races are gaining in popularity and seem to attract a greater depth of talent as each year passes. They provide a good opportunity for ProTeams to stretch their legs early in the season and have been dominated in the past by sprinters such as Tom Boonen who has won multiple events.
The Tour of Qatar particularly suits Robbie McEwen and it would be a fitting result if the veteran Aussie sprinter could bring Pegasus Racing its first podium finish.
Sean Q Lee
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