Australia s24

[Aurora Australis]

Great result, particularly with old Australia (Netherlands) being almost 400 points behind us.

[B.E-L]

Great victory Vos! It was a dramatic race for us with no points at all 

[Vos]

Thanks

And yes, I noticed the dramatic race of the Netherlands.
They dominated the NT sprint races the past 3 seasons with 4 victories of Jacco VanSwieten.

It can happen, B.E-L, unfortunately I have also experience in such dramatic sprint races,
once I even finished outside the top 100 ( ! ) with an Australian sprint-teamcaptain who should have been good enough to finish top 5.

In fact, there was a period that all different Australian NT managers had tactical unfortunate sprint races with bad results,
including AA and me, although we both are doing great in the NT sprint races of the past recent seasons.
But next season it could go horribly wrong, you never know in NT sprint races, that are always capricious, unexpected and surprising.

[Kekipi]

... you never know in NT sprint races, that are always capricious, unexpected and surprising.

No doubt, as evidenced by the results of the most recent sprint race which, for Team USA, netted

13. Ryan Duncan
16. Bruce Saucedo 

Only 2 EPs left to spend in S5 for each of these helpers.  SMH.

[Vos]

Suddenly many 19yo's extra, because there is a new Australian team that started 3 days ago.
Benvenuto / Welcome to Australia, AldebaranTauri.

Australia u20 ( 29 cyclists )

[Vos]

RACE 4 :  TT - Breda

9ºC

Breda, the Netherlands,
In previous season the Australian TT specialists did amazing in a flat time trial in Genève of also exactly 36 km.
Back then hot and storm, and now cold. Also a difference is that the Aussies are 1 year older, and considering the age ;
if this selection comes close to the 1.100 points of previous season ( where all 9 scored points ), I will be very satisfied.

Maybe a more realistic outcome is that "only" 5 or 6 Australians score points, and the total points could be much less than last season.
Because the foreign TT competition is getting stronger every season. And at the moment no Australian in the top 3 flat TT ranking.
But you never know in a NT time trial, luck is also a big factor.

Australia NT selection :

Nobby Licuria ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Tod Henderson ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Kirk Clinton ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Bud Mount ( 32 ) ChronoTony
Christian Pocock* ( 31 ) Aurora_Australis
Walt Judd ( 32 ) TeamEuroscalt
Jonny Alfier ( 27 ) Aurora_Australis
Billy Janson* ( 26 ) Aurora_Australis
Markus Benett ( 31 ) QuintoYtapa

[Vos]

2    Kirk Clinton      31   0: 01"   250      Aurora_Australis
6    Tod Henderson      31   0: 03"   160      Aurora_Australis
7    Christian Pocock      31   0: 05"   150      Aurora_Australis
8    Bud Mount      32   0: 05"   140      ChronoTony
9    Nobby Licuria      31   0: 06"   130      Aurora_Australis
13    Billy Janson      26   0: 09"   90      Aurora_Australis
16    Walt Judd      32   0: 10"   60      TeamEuroscalt
20    Jonny Alfier      27   0: 11"   10      Aurora_Australis
- - - - - - - - - -
23    Markus Benett      31   0: 15"   0      QuintoYtapa

Again no victory but a 2nd place, just like in the past 4 seasons.
But I'm very satisfied due to the excellent results of the Australian TT specialists and a great total of 990 points.

Remarkable, only 6 countries scored points in this time trial :
AUS = 990,  GER = 715,  POR = 570,  USA = 100,  NL = 70,  NOO = 20.

Australia takes the lead in the season ranking ! 
TOP 6 after 4 races =
1º    1.730
2º    1.145
3º     830
4º     700
5º     610
6º     590

Very positive = the countries that can be excellent in the final 2 flat-cobble races ( NL, GB, ITA, BEL ) are far behind at the moment.
But the current nrs 2 and 3 might be rivals too ; GER has the nr 6 on flat-cobble, and UKR has the nr 9 on flat-cobble.
Too soon to tell who the rivals will be, because first the cobblehills race in Harelbeke, after that it will be more clear.

[Vos]

Australia u20 ( 29 cyclists )


"I love Australian talents"

[Vos]

RACE 5 :  Harelbeke

10ºC

Harelbeke, Belgium,
This is a decisive race, because Australia is not good in the final 2 brutal flat-cobble races ( Roubaix & Richmond ).
So, it has to happen here in Harelbeke, with hopefully many points as result(s).

Australia NT selection :

Nick Thompson ( 30 ) TeaMetal
Mannie Hines ( 28 ) Villavante
Dylan Lucas* ( 29 ) JGMTeam
Marc Huling ( 31 ) Turrones
Brooklyn Abolins ( 30 ) Spitz
Marc Ashley ( 31 ) TeaMetal
Bob Janson ( 30 ) LottoStelvio
Neil Spiker ( 28 ) CaptainOrange
Noel Marbley ( 28 ) Wiggo_pupils    ( debut )

[Vos]

4º  Nick Thompson ( 30, TeaMetal )   0:07"
11º  Dylan Lucas ( 29, JGMTeam )   0:17"
Very good results.
Australia scored even the most points in this NT race 5. 

TOP 4 season ranking after 5 races =
1.    2.040 
2.    1.225
3.    1.120
4.      790

[Aurora Australis]

Two seasons ago, Germany had their then 25yo win, and Ukraine had their then 23yo score highly, so they do remain potential threats.  The pre-season favourites Old Australia (Netherlands) appear to be dead in the water this season.

[B.E-L]

Two seasons ago, Germany had their then 25yo win, and Ukraine had their then 23yo score highly, so they do remain potential threats.  The pre-season favourites Old Australia (Netherlands) appear to be dead in the water this season.

If we had these races 2 seasons ago this would be true, but our star cobblers that could gain 700 points in one race are old and about to retire. I think we should be happy if we could score 700 points in 2 races now.

[Vos]

RACE 6 :  Roubaix

36ºC

Compiègne, France,
Dave Taylor did not score points in the NT flat-cobble race of previous season.
But this season he was the very surprising nr 4 on 0:08" in Paris-Roubaix of division 1A.
That is a hopeful result, despite he is just the nr 23 in the golden flat-cobble ranking.

Australia has just one other ( low ranked ) golden flat-cobble cyclist. He and 2 silver cyclists are selected to help Dave Taylor.
The remaining 5 places are for xp-cyclists. Including Jasper Caan, as reward for his sprint victory this season.
No debutants in this selection, but maybe the case in the next final NT race where probably different/other xp-cyclists will be selected.

Australia NT selection :

Dave Taylor ( 30 ) Bikeos
Donald Odom ( 30 ) CajaRuralZamora
- - - - - - - - - -
Clyde Mayne ( 30 ) Galletto
Keith Hunter ( 34 ) CC_Porco_Jones
- - - - - - - - - -
Bob Pernom ( 20 ) PDM_cycling_team
Alex Ablett ( 23 ) Red_Light_Skippers
Andrew Morse ( 20 ) Plopsala
Jasper Caan ( 27 ) SaulSalinasTeam
Maurice Hunter ( 22 ) Aurora_Australis

[Vos]

17º  Dave Taylor ( 30, Bikeos )   0: 07"   
Excellent helper's job of Odom who was still with his teamcaptain in s4.

Australia scored 40 points in this race where rival Germany scored just 180 points.
Spain ( 445 ) and Denmark ( 300 ) scored the most points,
but these 2 countries were far behind before this NT race 6, and even after this race still far behind.
If the points will be divided in NT race 7, about the same as in this NT race 6, Australia will be the world champion with a very big gap.
Maybe in theory only current nr 2 Germany is still a rival, but the difference with Australia is 675 points. That should be more than enough.

[Vos]

RACE 7 :  Richmond


29ºC

Richmond, Virginia, USA,
Again it is up to Dave Taylor to try to score a few points.
Hopefully Odom does an excellent helper's job, like he did in the previous race, because I selected only him as helper.
The remaining 7 places are all for promising young talents to gain extra xp, ánd to encourage their managers to train them very well.

Australia NT selection :

Dave Taylor ( 30 ) Bikeos
Donald Odom ( 30 ) CajaRuralZamora
- - - - - - - - -
Maurice Hunter ( 22 ) Aurora_Australis
Andrew Morse ( 20 ) Plopsala
Rick Cann ( 21 ) Teamclaes
Bob Pernom ( 20 ) PDM_cycling_team
Derek Jons ( 22 ) RHyNeStOnEs
Sammy Alfier ( 21 ) Aurora_Australis
Andy Nixon ( 22 ) Aurora_Australis    ( debut )