Canberra Weekly Update - 1 July 2012

Today marks the start of the carbon tax commencing in Australia. Unfortunately there are no tax cuts or breaks for bicycle riders as part of the compensation package.

Giro delle donne

Everyone has been talking about the record number of Australian riders in the 2012 Tour de France.  However, it must also be a record number of Canberra women riding at the Giro Delle Donne this year.  Four Canberra riders started in Napoli, including Chloe Hosking, Team Specialized - Lululemon, Jessie MacLean, Orica-AIS, Miffy Galloway, Faren Honda Team and Gracie Elvin, Faren Honda Team

The Giro delle donne is the women's equivalent of the Giro d'Italia.  It is a nine stage race that snakes it way around southern, central and northern Italy. Last night's stage was a ITT around the historic city of Roma.

Chloe Hosking was the most successful rider after the first stage, picking up the maglia bianca (white jersey) and fourth spot overall on the GC. Unfortunately Chloe was well down on the stage 2 ITT in Rome and lost her maglia bianca.

While there was no yet success for Miffy and Gracie, they did help their teammate Rochelle Gilmore secure a top 10 spot in the opening stage.

MacLean was the best place rider during last night's ITT finishing in the 36th spot behind overall winner, Marianne Vos.

After two stages, Jessie MacLean is 36th (59 seconds behind), Chloe Hosking is 43rd (1.03 minutes behind) and 9th on the young riders classification, Gracie Elvin comes in at 62nd spot (1.18 minutes behind) and Miffy Galloway rounds out the Canberra contingent in 115th spot (2.15 minutes behind) and 32nd on the young riders classification.

Looking forward to seeing how the girls perform over the rest of the week.  

Gracie Elvin - Stage 2 ITT Roma

Michael Rogers starts his Tour de France campaign

Last night the 99th edition of the Tour de France commenced with a 6.4km prologue around the Belgium city of Liege.  Based on his ITT form leading up the Tour, a top 10 finish would not have been totally unexpected.  Unfortunately for Rogers, the prologue did not go as expected as he finished a disappointing 61st, 25 seconds down on Cancellara's winning ride.

Not expecting much from Michael Rogers over the next week. The race will switch into first gear once the riders hit the Alps where Rogers will be Wiggins key domestique.



Successful under 19 Australian titles for Canberra riders

The under 19 Road National Championships are currently being held in Shepparton Victoria.  While there were no podium finishes in either the time trial or the road race, Canberra riders have performed admirably over the carnival.  The bitterly cold conditions surely must have helped the Canberra riders and making them fell right at home.

In the women time trial, ACT secured three riders in the top ten with Lucy Kirk (4th), Allison Rice (5th) and Alexandria Nicholls (7th).  The men were unable to replicate the women's performance with Sam Sautelle our best finisher in 23rd spot.

Allison Rice was the ACT's best finisher in the road race, finishing 7th in a bunch finish.  Karl Michelin-Beard was the best male finisher in 37th spot. The carnival concludes today with a criterium around Shepparton.

Full result of the carnival can be found at: http://www.cycling.org.au/?Page=46180

WHERE ARE CANBERRA RIDERS RACING THIS WEEK?

Michael Rogers (TeamSky) The racing proper starts tonight in the Tour de France.  The stage to watch out for will be stage 7 finish at La Planche des Belles Filles.  The first steep ramp where Wiggins will try to get a march on his rivals.

Chloe Hosking, Team Specialized - Lululemon, Jessie MacLean, Orica-AIS, Miffy Galloway, Faren Honda Team and Gracie Elvin Faren Honda Team continue their march at the Giro delle donne.

Fabio Calabria (Team Type 1 - Sanofi) Had a terrible stage two of the Tour of Qinghai Lake where he finished almost 11 minutes down.  Currently sitting in 135 spot in the GC. 

LOCAL RACES 

Unlike the previous two Canberra Cycling Club races, yesterday's South of Tharwa scratch race stayed dry.  All riders had spent the week anticipating rain, however, it ended up being a glorious day with the sun shining and not too much wind.

I will update the link of race result when they come available.  

The Subaru women's national road series hits Canberra next week with the Canberra Women's Tour.