Matthew Lloyd may ride for GC in Giro
28/11/2010
Over the past couple of years Australians have become accustomed to watching Cadel Evans and Mick Rogers battle it out on the big stage as genuine GC contenders. Winning the GC is perhaps the most difficult task in cycling and is only achieved by a rare few, so when teams find themselves with a rider capable of performing such a feat, they protect them like precious gems.
Omega Pharma Lotto think they may have found another such rider, and what's more, he is another Australian. While hardly a new face in the peloton, former national road champion Matthew Lloyd kicked goals with his Belgian squad earlier this year by riding away with the mountain's classification in Italy after winning a difficult stage of the Giro d'Italia.
While Lloyd's role in the team has been one of worker which included performing domestic duties for former team leader and countryman Cadel Evans, his performance at the Giro showed that he has a lot more to offer. And now, with the departure of Evans to BMC, opportunities not previously available have opened up and the tough Aussie is ready to spread his wings and take on the extra responsibility that comes from being a team's protected rider.
In an interview on cyclingnews.com Lloyd says that his team has been discussing the possibility of him being the team leader for next year's Giro. If it comes to fruition it would be just reward for the talented Australian who proved his toughness last year by riding the Tour de France just weeks after suffering spinal injuries in a serious fall.
Sean Q Lee
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Omega Pharma Lotto think they may have found another such rider, and what's more, he is another Australian. While hardly a new face in the peloton, former national road champion Matthew Lloyd kicked goals with his Belgian squad earlier this year by riding away with the mountain's classification in Italy after winning a difficult stage of the Giro d'Italia.
While Lloyd's role in the team has been one of worker which included performing domestic duties for former team leader and countryman Cadel Evans, his performance at the Giro showed that he has a lot more to offer. And now, with the departure of Evans to BMC, opportunities not previously available have opened up and the tough Aussie is ready to spread his wings and take on the extra responsibility that comes from being a team's protected rider.
In an interview on cyclingnews.com Lloyd says that his team has been discussing the possibility of him being the team leader for next year's Giro. If it comes to fruition it would be just reward for the talented Australian who proved his toughness last year by riding the Tour de France just weeks after suffering spinal injuries in a serious fall.
Sean Q Lee
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Pegasus add two Aussies and a Kiwi
25/11/2010
Pegasus continue to build up the Antipodean content of their squad with two more Australians and a New Zealander being added to their rider roster for 2011.
Accomplished track cyclist and U23 national time trial champion, Rohan Denis (20) and former national champion Darren Lapthorne (27) join Kiwi Clinton Robert Avery (22) as the Australian team's latest signings.
The versatile Rohan Denis shines on both the track and the road while the hardworking Darren Lapthorne deserves his chance at this level after overcoming personal tragedy and will be looking for further achievements to add to his 2007 national road title.
Clinton Avery, who rode for Lance Armstrong's RadioShack team this season has experienced success on the road at U23 level and is a former national cross country mountain bike champion.
Sean Q Lee
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Accomplished track cyclist and U23 national time trial champion, Rohan Denis (20) and former national champion Darren Lapthorne (27) join Kiwi Clinton Robert Avery (22) as the Australian team's latest signings.
The versatile Rohan Denis shines on both the track and the road while the hardworking Darren Lapthorne deserves his chance at this level after overcoming personal tragedy and will be looking for further achievements to add to his 2007 national road title.
Clinton Avery, who rode for Lance Armstrong's RadioShack team this season has experienced success on the road at U23 level and is a former national cross country mountain bike champion.
Sean Q Lee
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Cadel to focus on 2011 Tour de France
24/11/2010
While Australian cycling fans can expect to see a plethora of home bred talent compete at the 2011 Tour Down Under, one notable absence will be former world champion, Cadel Evans.
Evans animated the last edition of the race and whipped spectators into a frenzy with a spirited attack over Willunga Hill that was almost (but not quite) enough to give him victory.
But the two time runner up of the Tour de France still harbours a burning desire to win cycling's most famous race and will devote his entire 2011 season in preparing for the epic event. Unfortunately for his many Australian fans, this means that the TDU will not be a part of his schedule.
With the granting of ProTour status to BMC, Evans is assured of a start in the French race and will take a leaf out of Lance Armstrong's book by focusing all his energies on those three weeks in July. He will cut back his number of race days and forsake the Giro in favour of being as fresh and as well prepared as possible for le Tour.
Another race that will feature on Cadel's schedule for 2011 is the Vuelta. Desperately unlucky not to have won the event outright in 2009 thanks to a puncture and then a botched wheel change by the neutral service vehicle, Evans feels he has some unfinished business with the Spanish race.
While not one to lament bad luck, the Australian knows that misfortune has probably robbed him of being a multiple grand tour winner and it would be a shame if he ended his career without having ever reached the holy grail of stage racing.
He has won just about everything else there is to win – spring classics and the world championship included – but the grand tours continue to elude him. As hard working and ultra competitive as ever, Evans will be doing all he can to rectify this anomaly.
Despite having worn the leaders jersey in all three grand tours, doped up cheats, accidents and injury, a lack of team support and untimely mechanicals have all conspired against him in his quest for overall victory. But his attitude and work ethic remain unchallenged. While his window of opportunity is slowly closing, the BMC rider still has time to claim his lifelong goal, and only a foolish opponent would write him off as finished.
Sean Q Lee (24/11/2010)
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Evans animated the last edition of the race and whipped spectators into a frenzy with a spirited attack over Willunga Hill that was almost (but not quite) enough to give him victory.
But the two time runner up of the Tour de France still harbours a burning desire to win cycling's most famous race and will devote his entire 2011 season in preparing for the epic event. Unfortunately for his many Australian fans, this means that the TDU will not be a part of his schedule.
With the granting of ProTour status to BMC, Evans is assured of a start in the French race and will take a leaf out of Lance Armstrong's book by focusing all his energies on those three weeks in July. He will cut back his number of race days and forsake the Giro in favour of being as fresh and as well prepared as possible for le Tour.
Another race that will feature on Cadel's schedule for 2011 is the Vuelta. Desperately unlucky not to have won the event outright in 2009 thanks to a puncture and then a botched wheel change by the neutral service vehicle, Evans feels he has some unfinished business with the Spanish race.
While not one to lament bad luck, the Australian knows that misfortune has probably robbed him of being a multiple grand tour winner and it would be a shame if he ended his career without having ever reached the holy grail of stage racing.
He has won just about everything else there is to win – spring classics and the world championship included – but the grand tours continue to elude him. As hard working and ultra competitive as ever, Evans will be doing all he can to rectify this anomaly.
Despite having worn the leaders jersey in all three grand tours, doped up cheats, accidents and injury, a lack of team support and untimely mechanicals have all conspired against him in his quest for overall victory. But his attitude and work ethic remain unchallenged. While his window of opportunity is slowly closing, the BMC rider still has time to claim his lifelong goal, and only a foolish opponent would write him off as finished.
Sean Q Lee (24/11/2010)
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Pegasus bring in eight from Fly V Australia
18/11/2010
Pegasus Racing has topped up its roster for next year by promoting eight of its Fly V Australia riders. Ben Day, Bernaud Sulzberger, Jonathan Cantwell, Aaron Kemps and Jai Crawford will boost the Aussie content of the squad while Darren Lill and Jay Thompson will join countryman Robbie Hunter to ensure the team has a strong South African presence. Phil Zajicek (USA) will also step up.
Both Day and Kemps have raced in Europe before and will bring experience and enthusiasm to the new entity while Cantwell has had an extremely consistent season and shows lots of promise.
Despite not satisfying the UCI's requirements for ProTour status, Pegasus Racing will base itself in Europe next season and compete at pro-continental level.
Sean Q Lee
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Both Day and Kemps have raced in Europe before and will bring experience and enthusiasm to the new entity while Cantwell has had an extremely consistent season and shows lots of promise.
Despite not satisfying the UCI's requirements for ProTour status, Pegasus Racing will base itself in Europe next season and compete at pro-continental level.
Sean Q Lee
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Tim Roe, Tom Scully and NZ's most promising step up for 2011
17/11/2010
Cadel Evans will have a fellow Aussie riding shotgun for him next year with the signing of promising young climber Tim Roe to BMC. The 21 year old South Australian has spent the past season with Lance Armstrong's Trek-Livestrong development squad and had produced some promising results before breaking his collarbone in a crash at the Tour de l'Avenir.
While initially concerned that the accident would hinder the advancement of his career, BMC had seen enough to realise the potential of the lightly built climber. Roe secured his immediate future by signing his first pro contract while still in hospital, recuperating from his injuries.
BMC see next season as one of development for Roe and will not be pushing him for results. His program of races will be built around one week stage races with an emphasis placed on gaining experience and learning from countryman Cadel Evans and BMC's other leaders.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's road cycling future received a huge boost with 20 year old Tom Scully being signed to Garmin-Cervelo's under 23 program. Scully is lucky to be cycling at all after crashing into a powerpole while riding at 60 km/h earlier this year. He has successfully overcome a series of operations to repair knee tendons and is excited at the prospect of joining fellow Kiwi Julian Dean at the Garmin squad.
But the news gets even better for New Zealand. Three of its most promising young riders have been signed to the Trek-Livestrong development squad. Looking to boost its stocks after losing riders such as Taylor Phinney and Tim Roe to senior squads, the Lance Armstrong owned team has turned to New Zealand and recruited Michael Vink, Josh Aitkins and George Bennett. Australian Joe Lewis will complete the Down Under invasion of the American team.
Sean Q Lee 17/11/2010
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While initially concerned that the accident would hinder the advancement of his career, BMC had seen enough to realise the potential of the lightly built climber. Roe secured his immediate future by signing his first pro contract while still in hospital, recuperating from his injuries.
BMC see next season as one of development for Roe and will not be pushing him for results. His program of races will be built around one week stage races with an emphasis placed on gaining experience and learning from countryman Cadel Evans and BMC's other leaders.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's road cycling future received a huge boost with 20 year old Tom Scully being signed to Garmin-Cervelo's under 23 program. Scully is lucky to be cycling at all after crashing into a powerpole while riding at 60 km/h earlier this year. He has successfully overcome a series of operations to repair knee tendons and is excited at the prospect of joining fellow Kiwi Julian Dean at the Garmin squad.
But the news gets even better for New Zealand. Three of its most promising young riders have been signed to the Trek-Livestrong development squad. Looking to boost its stocks after losing riders such as Taylor Phinney and Tim Roe to senior squads, the Lance Armstrong owned team has turned to New Zealand and recruited Michael Vink, Josh Aitkins and George Bennett. Australian Joe Lewis will complete the Down Under invasion of the American team.
Sean Q Lee 17/11/2010
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Cav, Farrer, Greipel, Armstrong for TDU
Early preview of Australia's biggest race
16/11/2010
From modest beginnings just over a decade ago, the Tour Down Under has grown into the largest, most anticipated race of the Asia-Pacific region. Once on a par with the Jayco Herald-Sun tour as Australia's premier stage race, the TDU has now eclipsed its Victorian cousin and attracts riders and teams of the highest quality.
With tens of thousands flocking to the Cancer Council Classic that opens the event and the street circuit stage that ends it, and thousands more flocking to Willunga Hill and lining the roads during the intermediate stages, over 750 000 spectators attended the event last year, highlighting the position the race now holds on the Australian sporting calender.
While the race has steadily gained in popularity since its inception, two significant happenings took it from being a little known national event to the international spectacle it has become today.
First was the UCI granting the race ProTour status. This brought the top tier international teams and their roster of international riders. The second, and probably most defining moment, was Lance Armstrong using the race as his comeback event. Even the most cycling naïve among us had heard of Lance, whether it be because of his seven Tour de France victories or his battle with cancer, it didn't matter. We all knew Lance was special and here was a chance to go and see him in action. Hundreds of thousands took the opportunity.
A year later Lance was back again, but also competing was newly crowned world champion Cadel Evans, another drawcard that had organisers rubbing their hands together with glee.
There is no doubt though that the TDU owes a wealth of gratitude to Armstrong. He drew the people, many of whom would never have been to a bike race before. Most liked what they saw and craved for more. The proof was in the numbers that attended the world championships in Geelong. Lance wasn't there, but the crowds still were.
Lance will be back again in 2011 for his third and final appearance at the South Australian race and once again a fair proportion of the crowd will be there to see him. But the race is no longer a one trick (rider) pony and the crowds, more educated now then they have ever been, will be just as keen to see the world's fastest man, Mark Cavendish, go head to head with the other speedsters such as Tyler Farrer and last year's winner Andre Greipel. Throw a handful of determined and talented Australian riders into the mix and the recipe for excitement is complete.
The depth of talent in this TDU promises to be the best yet and so that you don't miss out on any of the vital information connected to this race we have decided to publish the official TDU media releases which the more observant of you will have noticed directly to the left of this article.
We will also continue to bring you all the news concerning our beloved Australian and New Zealander cyclists and would like to thank our loyal readers and those who have just discovered us, and invite you all to sit back, log on, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Sean Q Lee 16/11/2010
Comment on this article [email protected]
With tens of thousands flocking to the Cancer Council Classic that opens the event and the street circuit stage that ends it, and thousands more flocking to Willunga Hill and lining the roads during the intermediate stages, over 750 000 spectators attended the event last year, highlighting the position the race now holds on the Australian sporting calender.
While the race has steadily gained in popularity since its inception, two significant happenings took it from being a little known national event to the international spectacle it has become today.
First was the UCI granting the race ProTour status. This brought the top tier international teams and their roster of international riders. The second, and probably most defining moment, was Lance Armstrong using the race as his comeback event. Even the most cycling naïve among us had heard of Lance, whether it be because of his seven Tour de France victories or his battle with cancer, it didn't matter. We all knew Lance was special and here was a chance to go and see him in action. Hundreds of thousands took the opportunity.
A year later Lance was back again, but also competing was newly crowned world champion Cadel Evans, another drawcard that had organisers rubbing their hands together with glee.
There is no doubt though that the TDU owes a wealth of gratitude to Armstrong. He drew the people, many of whom would never have been to a bike race before. Most liked what they saw and craved for more. The proof was in the numbers that attended the world championships in Geelong. Lance wasn't there, but the crowds still were.
Lance will be back again in 2011 for his third and final appearance at the South Australian race and once again a fair proportion of the crowd will be there to see him. But the race is no longer a one trick (rider) pony and the crowds, more educated now then they have ever been, will be just as keen to see the world's fastest man, Mark Cavendish, go head to head with the other speedsters such as Tyler Farrer and last year's winner Andre Greipel. Throw a handful of determined and talented Australian riders into the mix and the recipe for excitement is complete.
The depth of talent in this TDU promises to be the best yet and so that you don't miss out on any of the vital information connected to this race we have decided to publish the official TDU media releases which the more observant of you will have noticed directly to the left of this article.
We will also continue to bring you all the news concerning our beloved Australian and New Zealander cyclists and would like to thank our loyal readers and those who have just discovered us, and invite you all to sit back, log on, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Sean Q Lee 16/11/2010
Comment on this article [email protected]
If we build it, they will come!
10/11/2010
While the excitement created by the Geelong world championships has ebbed away, the hype surrounding January's Tour Down Under is building up. Last year we were blessed with a magnificent event. Crowds approaching Tour de France type numbers lined the roads to watch Cadel Evans, proud and strong in his newly acquired rainbow jersey, attack over Willunga Hill and very nearly trump the field with what would have been a well earned and much deserved victory. It was not to be, but the race was no less exciting for it.
Huge crowds also clogged central Adelaide for the Cancer Council Classic that kicked off the event and the street circuit stage that closed it. Lance liked it so much that he's coming back again, despite being in semi retirement.
With cycling's profile at an all time high in Australia and our proven track record at organising big and highly successful events, it's a shame that our shores aren't called upon more often by the world's cycling elite. If Australia was in Europe we would be inundated with ProTour races, but alas we are not, so our affair with world cycling is flirtatious at best while lacking the opportunity to progress to something more substantial.
But need it be? While our isolation from the cycling hotspots of Europe is our major disadvantage, the organisers of the Jayco Herald-Sun Tour were onto something when they attempted to move their event from October to January. In an attempt to attract higher profile riders and teams, they wanted to run back to back with the TDU, their argument being that the cyclists, having come from the opposite side of the world, could make their trip to Australia really worthwhile by competing in another high quality event. It made a lot of sense, but for various reasons was not allowed to happen.
As it stands, the Jayco Herald-Sun Tour remains the poor cousin of the TDU. Despite attracting Bradley Wiggins to its event last year, very few pro cyclists are going to make such a long trip twice a year, and if given a choice, the TDU will win every time.
But why not cash in when the world's best cyclists are here? If the Jayco Herald-Sun event can't be moved then why not have a fortnight of international pro cycling kicked off by the TDU and followed up by a one day 'classic' style of race around the Geelong championship course? This could then link into the already highly successful Bay Classic series of races and would be an attractive proposition for the international riders and teams as they prepare themselves for the European spring classics.
Not only would this further promote the sport in this country and provide future generations with inspiration, it would be just reward for a nation ranked fourth in the world and its sports mad public who crave and support unequivocally any international sport that comes their way.
(The photograph at the top of this article is of the crowd watching the big screen in Montpellier Park, Geelong, during the world championships).
Sean Q Lee 10/11/2010
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Huge crowds also clogged central Adelaide for the Cancer Council Classic that kicked off the event and the street circuit stage that closed it. Lance liked it so much that he's coming back again, despite being in semi retirement.
With cycling's profile at an all time high in Australia and our proven track record at organising big and highly successful events, it's a shame that our shores aren't called upon more often by the world's cycling elite. If Australia was in Europe we would be inundated with ProTour races, but alas we are not, so our affair with world cycling is flirtatious at best while lacking the opportunity to progress to something more substantial.
But need it be? While our isolation from the cycling hotspots of Europe is our major disadvantage, the organisers of the Jayco Herald-Sun Tour were onto something when they attempted to move their event from October to January. In an attempt to attract higher profile riders and teams, they wanted to run back to back with the TDU, their argument being that the cyclists, having come from the opposite side of the world, could make their trip to Australia really worthwhile by competing in another high quality event. It made a lot of sense, but for various reasons was not allowed to happen.
As it stands, the Jayco Herald-Sun Tour remains the poor cousin of the TDU. Despite attracting Bradley Wiggins to its event last year, very few pro cyclists are going to make such a long trip twice a year, and if given a choice, the TDU will win every time.
But why not cash in when the world's best cyclists are here? If the Jayco Herald-Sun event can't be moved then why not have a fortnight of international pro cycling kicked off by the TDU and followed up by a one day 'classic' style of race around the Geelong championship course? This could then link into the already highly successful Bay Classic series of races and would be an attractive proposition for the international riders and teams as they prepare themselves for the European spring classics.
Not only would this further promote the sport in this country and provide future generations with inspiration, it would be just reward for a nation ranked fourth in the world and its sports mad public who crave and support unequivocally any international sport that comes their way.
(The photograph at the top of this article is of the crowd watching the big screen in Montpellier Park, Geelong, during the world championships).
Sean Q Lee 10/11/2010
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Roulston claims Tour of Southland
7/11/2010
The picturesque nine stage Tour of Southland has been dominated by the big names of Kiwi cycling. The New Zealand event produced some exciting racing and while the names in the top four GC places stayed the same from stage two onwards, their order was constantly changing, sometimes through misfortune, sometimes through controversy and strangely enough, sometimes through good sportsmanship.
Kiwi journeyman Jeremy Yates, fresh from the good form he showed in Brazil last month, led the tour throughout its early days, claiming two stage victories along the way. His stage six win was achieved in remarkable circumstances after being tipped off his bike by a passing motorcycle official. With the sprint to the line only moments from starting, George Bennett went on the attack, but ProTour rider Hayden Roulston, at the time third on GC, showed great sportsmanship to sit up and wait for Yates to recover.
Yates went on to chase Bennett down and take the stage win and preserve his overall first place, but it was a position he lost on the very next stage when he crashed again, this time after the arm of a rain jacket that he was attempting to put on got caught in his front wheel.
Roulston took the stage, world championship time trial participant Jack Bauer took over the GC lead, and Yates slipped to third place overall.
Then in stage eight, with his GC lead to defend, Bauer displayed enormous sportsmanship to work with Roulston in the closing stages of the race. Instead of sitting on Roulston's wheel and swamping him in the run to the finish, Bauer swapped turns with Roulston who then went on to win his second stage in a row by the remarkable margin of just 0.01 seconds. The resultant time bonuses were enough to push him into first place on GC.
Greg Henderson took stage nine (he also won stage four), but the GC positions remained unchanged with Hayden Roulston claiming overall victory in 20h 58' 23''. Jack Bauer held on to second place, missing out on the number one spot by just two seconds, while the accident prone Jeremy Yates was 1' 34'' back in third place.
An interesting, if somewhat bizarre footnote to the race was the participation of disgraced drug cheat Floyd Landis. Keen to win the race, he climbed to fourth place overall after stage two, and remained there until the end, finishing 3' 12'' behind Roulston.
Sean Q Lee 7/11/2010
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Kiwi journeyman Jeremy Yates, fresh from the good form he showed in Brazil last month, led the tour throughout its early days, claiming two stage victories along the way. His stage six win was achieved in remarkable circumstances after being tipped off his bike by a passing motorcycle official. With the sprint to the line only moments from starting, George Bennett went on the attack, but ProTour rider Hayden Roulston, at the time third on GC, showed great sportsmanship to sit up and wait for Yates to recover.
Yates went on to chase Bennett down and take the stage win and preserve his overall first place, but it was a position he lost on the very next stage when he crashed again, this time after the arm of a rain jacket that he was attempting to put on got caught in his front wheel.
Roulston took the stage, world championship time trial participant Jack Bauer took over the GC lead, and Yates slipped to third place overall.
Then in stage eight, with his GC lead to defend, Bauer displayed enormous sportsmanship to work with Roulston in the closing stages of the race. Instead of sitting on Roulston's wheel and swamping him in the run to the finish, Bauer swapped turns with Roulston who then went on to win his second stage in a row by the remarkable margin of just 0.01 seconds. The resultant time bonuses were enough to push him into first place on GC.
Greg Henderson took stage nine (he also won stage four), but the GC positions remained unchanged with Hayden Roulston claiming overall victory in 20h 58' 23''. Jack Bauer held on to second place, missing out on the number one spot by just two seconds, while the accident prone Jeremy Yates was 1' 34'' back in third place.
An interesting, if somewhat bizarre footnote to the race was the participation of disgraced drug cheat Floyd Landis. Keen to win the race, he climbed to fourth place overall after stage two, and remained there until the end, finishing 3' 12'' behind Roulston.
Sean Q Lee 7/11/2010
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Taylor Phinney talks of Geelong & Worlds
4/11/2010
The team over at bicycle radio interviewed rising American star Taylor Phinney last week. The interview is well worth a listen as Taylor gives his view of his time in Geelong at the world championships. In an entertaining chat, he tells of how a complete stranger motor paced him back to his hotel after he was caught in darkness during a reconnoitre of the course. He also speaks of his shock at seeing the Challambra hill for the first time after being led to believe the course was flat and of his battle with Luke Durbridge during the U23 time trial.
The interview is available as a podcast from www.bicycleradio.com . Follow the links and download the podcast labelled 'R.I.P Paul the octopus' (I kid you not!). After an amusing little introduction the talk does get around to cycling – we promise.
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The interview is available as a podcast from www.bicycleradio.com . Follow the links and download the podcast labelled 'R.I.P Paul the octopus' (I kid you not!). After an amusing little introduction the talk does get around to cycling – we promise.
Tell us what you think [email protected]
Pegasus Racing miss out on ProTour
3/11/2010
Australia's Pegasus Racing has missed out on gaining a ProTour licence with the UCI declaring that the team is not ranked highly enough to be considered. With only the top 20 teams in the world being considered, the Australian squad came in at number 23 and so do not satisfy the controlling body's criteria.
While it is a set back to the dreams of director Chris White and Aussie cycling fans, the team will still move their base to Europe and attempt to gain a Pro-Continental licence.
As outlined in our article last week, teams can still compete in the bigger races by gaining wildcards, and this is the path that Pegasus will travel down now. It is believed that they are already in discussions with the various race organisers.
Sean Q Lee 3/11/2010
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While it is a set back to the dreams of director Chris White and Aussie cycling fans, the team will still move their base to Europe and attempt to gain a Pro-Continental licence.
As outlined in our article last week, teams can still compete in the bigger races by gaining wildcards, and this is the path that Pegasus will travel down now. It is believed that they are already in discussions with the various race organisers.
Sean Q Lee 3/11/2010
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Future set for O'Grady and Rogers
2/11/2010
The future of Australian cyclists Stuart O'Grady and Michael Rogers has been confirmed. There were no surprises when it was announced that O'Grady would be joining the Schleck brothers at the new Luxembourg cycling project while Rogers has signed up for two years with British outfit Team Sky.
O'Grady, who has been cursed by injuries since winning Paris Roubaix three years ago is hoping for a successful classics season. He will also provide leadership and support to Andy Schleck in the Tour de France, a role he played successfully for Saxobank over the past few seasons.
For Rogers, his hope is to continue the good form he showed this year in the smaller stage races such as the Tour of California. While he will still be a factor at the Tour, the French race is no longer his main priority.
Sean Q Lee
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O'Grady, who has been cursed by injuries since winning Paris Roubaix three years ago is hoping for a successful classics season. He will also provide leadership and support to Andy Schleck in the Tour de France, a role he played successfully for Saxobank over the past few seasons.
For Rogers, his hope is to continue the good form he showed this year in the smaller stage races such as the Tour of California. While he will still be a factor at the Tour, the French race is no longer his main priority.
Sean Q Lee
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Our favourite race of the year - The Giro
1/11/2010
Of all the races this year the most exciting and dramatic was the Giro d'Italia. Tight racing, several pink jersey changes, crashes, bad weather, massive breakaways upsetting the main field, vicious mountain top finishes and of course good performances by the Australian riders made the 2010 edition of the Italian race one to remember.
From an Australian view point, the race couldn't have been better. Never has a grand tour been so influenced by Aussie riders. World champion Cadel Evans took the pink jersey early in the race before young Tasmanian Richie Porte went from being an unknown neo-pro to leader's jersey wearer in one easy step after the peloton inexplicably let a ridiculously large and talented breakaway group escape to an unassailable lead.
Hardworking Aussie climber Matthew Lloyd blasted his way to a solo victory in the hills on stage six and countryman Matt Goss showed his finishing speed by sprinting to victory in stage nine. But it was Cadel's victory in the brutal seventh stage that provided the highlight of a race that was blessed with highlights.
Taking on the worst weather that Italy could throw at him and taming the dreaded strade bianche – the white gravel roads before the finish in Montalcino – Evans proved once and for all why he is the toughest and most accomplished road rider that Australia has ever produced.
In an epic battle with Vinokourov, the boy from Barwon Heads, slipped and slid his way up the mountain side, his cadence hardly faltering, while others such as eventually GC victor Ivan Basso found the going beyond them.
Coated from head to toe in mud, with jerseys barely recognisable, it was like a scene out of the early days of cycling. If the riders had have carried spare tyres over their shoulders and had their drink bottles mounted on their handlebars, then nothing would have distinguished them from those famous photos of yesteryear.
A final, gut busting, uphill sprint to the finish line in pouring rain, saw Evans out power both Vinokourov and Cunego to take the stage by a couple of bike lengths in what many considered to be the hardest fought victory in his accomplished road racing career.
Evans eventually finished fifth in the general classification while Richie Porte held on for tenth. Matthew Lloyd won the mountains classification, Evans won the points classification and Porte won the young riders classification. Add to that the three individual stage wins by Lloyd, Evans and Goss and the Giro became, without a doubt, the most successful grand tour ever contested by Australian riders.
Sean Q Lee
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From an Australian view point, the race couldn't have been better. Never has a grand tour been so influenced by Aussie riders. World champion Cadel Evans took the pink jersey early in the race before young Tasmanian Richie Porte went from being an unknown neo-pro to leader's jersey wearer in one easy step after the peloton inexplicably let a ridiculously large and talented breakaway group escape to an unassailable lead.
Hardworking Aussie climber Matthew Lloyd blasted his way to a solo victory in the hills on stage six and countryman Matt Goss showed his finishing speed by sprinting to victory in stage nine. But it was Cadel's victory in the brutal seventh stage that provided the highlight of a race that was blessed with highlights.
Taking on the worst weather that Italy could throw at him and taming the dreaded strade bianche – the white gravel roads before the finish in Montalcino – Evans proved once and for all why he is the toughest and most accomplished road rider that Australia has ever produced.
In an epic battle with Vinokourov, the boy from Barwon Heads, slipped and slid his way up the mountain side, his cadence hardly faltering, while others such as eventually GC victor Ivan Basso found the going beyond them.
Coated from head to toe in mud, with jerseys barely recognisable, it was like a scene out of the early days of cycling. If the riders had have carried spare tyres over their shoulders and had their drink bottles mounted on their handlebars, then nothing would have distinguished them from those famous photos of yesteryear.
A final, gut busting, uphill sprint to the finish line in pouring rain, saw Evans out power both Vinokourov and Cunego to take the stage by a couple of bike lengths in what many considered to be the hardest fought victory in his accomplished road racing career.
Evans eventually finished fifth in the general classification while Richie Porte held on for tenth. Matthew Lloyd won the mountains classification, Evans won the points classification and Porte won the young riders classification. Add to that the three individual stage wins by Lloyd, Evans and Goss and the Giro became, without a doubt, the most successful grand tour ever contested by Australian riders.
Sean Q Lee
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