The Jonker report - Gusty start for sprinters
January
17 2010
Racing in gusty conditions on a very fast street circuit is about as tiring as it gets.
Many of the riders will return to the Hilton Hotel tonight feeling unusually exhausted from a street circuit that is usually a walk in the park for them.
The wind is not only annoying and adds drag to the riding it also adds a little tension because it can be tricky and cause accidents which is the last thing anyone wants in this first event – so I suppose everyone was just a bit more strained than they needed to be.
It did not stop the race being quite a spectacle. Lance Armstrong was extremely impressive in the main breakaway today holding the lead for many laps.
Team-UniSA made some nice aggressive moves in the first half of the race and Cantwell was in the thick of it at the end of the race along with some top sprint talent.
I don’t think many were guessing Team Sky would get up but they put in a classy performance and managed the race well as a team in the final few laps.
The journalist contingent took a poll before the race and named Greipel and Cook as the most likely winners of the Cancer Council Helpline Classic - both were in contention at the end and Greipel finished third overall.
Once again what was quite clear is that working as a team is so significant in cycling – the team holds the power to position sprinters into the most competitive position to attack in the final moments of the race.
With such serious sprinting talent at the event this year it will be important for Team UniSA to maintain strong teamwork and take some chances on making a good break that sticks throughout the race.
Having said that, watch out for Jonathon Cantwell – he is my “dark
horse” in this event – he is a talented rider with the power to make a
dynamite finish.
Patrick Jonker