TdU 2024 - Just around the corner. Literally

[MichaelB]

https://tourdownunder.com.au/race/mens/stages

Starts with the usual Crit and most of the stages cover similar ground to the past.

The final stage is much the same as well, so find it a bit disappointing (as a local) that some of the other great roads and climbs are not used. I'm sure those in the know have all the details why, but not likely to see much of it live sadly.

Too much time spent doing house prep stuff instead of riding, so may just be reduced to watching it on TV.


Some inside goss re the Community stage (or lack of it) was also driven by rider AND general road user behaviour. Not just cost.

Sad really.

[foo on patrol]

I think getting permits for other sections too ride on may play a big part in the problem.

Foo

[elantra]

Over the years I have had great times visiting South Australia to get my TDU experiences.

Been to see stage finishes in various locations, some great memories of stage wins by Andre Greipel, Cadel Evans, Cameron Meyer and others.

Yes I have done some of the People’s day ride events but I think they were a bit overrated and you can ride as much of the course as you like informally and absorb plenty of atmosphere. And miles.

I guess that because Friday’s People’s day ride is not offered this year, that stage doesn’t start in Adelaide.
It starts at the town of Murray Bridge, which is a long way from Adelaide.
Still finishes along the Victor Harbour coastline (Port Elliot this year) which is usually a wonderful place to finish a bike race.
I hope that the weather is conducive to a great week.
I will be following it on the media, eg Channel 7 etc

[foo on patrol]

Sarah Gigante, just an incredible ride with how she rode everyone off her wheel on the climb to the finish. I was so happy for her because if you do the research and see what she has gone through in the last 2yrs, you would understand my thoughts.

Foo

[MichaelB]

Sarah Gigante, just an incredible ride with how she rode everyone off her wheel on the climb to the finish. I was so happy for her because if you do the research and see what she has gone through in the last 2yrs, you would understand my thoughts.

Foo

Looking fwd to watching the replay tonight !!

[foo on patrol]

Sarah Gigante, just an incredible ride with how she rode everyone off her wheel on the climb to the finish. I was so happy for her because if you do the research and see what she has gone through in the last 2yrs, you would understand my thoughts.

Foo

Looking fwd to watching the replay tonight !!

She had me worried for awhile but then she just went bang and the rest is history.

Foo

[Cycling Wombat]

Sarah Gigante, just an incredible ride with how she rode everyone off her wheel on the climb to the finish. I was so happy for her because if you do the research and see what she has gone through in the last 2yrs, you would understand my thoughts.

Foo

That was a very good finish. Left everyone well behind!

[foo on patrol]

Yes it was, she just decided that the hurt would start early in the climb and then kept increase the power.

Foo

[MichaelB]

Yes it was, she just decided that the hurt would start early in the climb and then kept increase the power.

Foo

Finally got to watch it.

Crikey !!

[foo on patrol]

Yes it was, she just decided that the hurt would start early in the climb and then kept increase the power.

Foo

Finally got to watch it.

Crikey !!

She is good.

Foo

[MichaelB]

Bugger for Luke Plapp.

OUCH !!!

https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/dis ... some-crash

https://twitter.com/GreenEDGEteam/statu ... 89/photo/1

[foo on patrol]

He is going to be very sore tomorrow.

Foo

[MichaelB]

He is going to be very sore tomorrow.

Foo

That's an understatement and a half !!

Reckon the wise thing would be to rest and focus on CGORR instead.

[foo on patrol]

Sam Welsford is riding well.

Foo

[elantra]

On the TV coverage it looked like a great finale to the 2024 TDU.

Overall result decided on the final sprint !
In what appeared to be perfect weather conditions.
At a picturesque location in the Adelaide Hills.

Kudos !

[foo on patrol]

It was a good Tour, with plenty of close fought battles.

Foo

[MichaelB]

Yep, the weather on the final day was brilliant. Managed to watch the loops on the Mt Lofty climb out of Crafers. Crikey they move !!

What was REALLY F%&^ing disappointing was the riders behaviour on the way down Greenhill road away from the finish after the race.

Any common sense, road manners, etiquette were completely out of the window and this included some of the pro's heading back to their hotel. Using the whole road around blind corners despite it being an open road, not holding their line through corners, singlemindedness chasing the pro's thinking they could do better and then slamming on the brakes as they didn't know how to corner, taking up multiple lanes and moving within lanes rather than just two-abreast, taking mobile pics whilst riding etc, etc

No wonder some driver think cyclists are idiots ....

[AUbicycles]

When the pros travel to the start, they get a police escort and are well shielded and get the star treatment. On the way back, some of them push this and it is trickey as the rules for them have changed but they are treated very loosely. And then yahoos who are not pros try to strut and show off.

I wasn’t on the bike this year so didn’t ride back and experience it this year. Last year I had a day out and bike return and it was fairly good with the pros who were stopping and riding appropriately.

—

To the tour, very beautiful though the routes for the men made it hard to have real breakaways and most stages were sprints. Though the race dynamic can impact this, I like to see a mix and stages where it puts everyone to the test and the peloton splits.

From a riding perspective and putting dynamic stages to the side, it is very beautiful to ride through the hills and the temperatures were not too extreme.

Hats off to Sam Welsford who is so good with the fans, he really looked after everyone and was patient and engaging.