Canberra Cycling Corner - Weekly Update

Six days after the Tour de France finished on the Champs-Élysées, the best cyclists in the world crossed the English channel in hope of Olympic glory. Canberra's Michael Rogers hitched a ride with his Team Sky teammates on a private jet to minimize disruptions. 

The weekly wrap-up starts with a look at what we can expect over the next two weeks.  

OLYMPIC UPDATE

No success for Australia or Michael Rogers in the men's road race last night on the opening day of the Olympics. It took a brave effort by Michael Rogers to attack the peloton to try bridge the gap between them and the breakaway.  Unfortunately it failed but it did create an opening for Vicenzo Nibali and the eventual winner Alexandr Vinokurov. Michael's next race is the individual time trial which starts on 1 August.

Rogers on Box Hill - Photo Courtesy of Sum of Marc

Chloe Hosking hot sprinting form makes her one of the favourites for tonight's women's road race. While two laps of Box Hill will be a challenge for Hosking the run back to London and the flat finish will place her in a strong position. If the women learn anything from yesterday's road race, it will be not to let a large breakaway get away on the final lap of Box Hill.  Good luck Chloe.

Caroline Buchanan is yet to arrive in London with her BMX race will not commence until 10 August.  The team is staying and training in France until closer to the event.

Rebecca Henderson mountain bike race will also commence in the second week.  The women's final will start on 11 August. 

NO CANBERRA TOUR IN 2012

Unfortunately the Canberra Cycling Club announced that the Canberra Tour 2012 had been cancelled due to over the top Policing requirements for the race.  If I understand correctly, the Police escorts and road closure would have been equivalent to the Tour de France.

Lets hope that the race returns bigger and stronger in 2013.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/cycling/canberra-tour-cancelled-after-new-regulations-cause-cost-blowout-20120723-22l0p.html

AUSSIE HELPS BRIT TO TOUR DE FRANCE WIN

The Brits finally got their first Tour de France winner (12 months after Australia). Michael Rogers was a clear protagonist in the fairy tale victory.  He controls the peloton, chased down danger attacks and was Wiggins 'best man' in the mountains.  A magnificent effort by Rogers. 

After the Tour de France, Rogers is still sitting in 26th spot on the IG Pro Cycling Index. He is the third ranked Australian.



RESULTS WRAP-UP

No success for Chloe Hosking or Jessie MacLean Orica - AIS at the Internationale Thuringen Rundfahrt der Frauen.  Hosking failed to finished the Stage 4 Time Trial while Jessie finished the 6 stage race in 46th spot.

Nathan Haas (Garmin-Sharp) and Matt Hayman (Team Sky) had differing Tour of Wallonie races.  While Haas was able to finish the race in 27th spot, Hayman was unable to start the first stage after falling ill on the morning of the race.  Haas also finished in 12th in the young rider classification.


RACES COMING UP

A large Canberra contingent will be starting the Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland that starts on 1 August.  On current form, Ben Hill and Joe Lewis (both RBS Morgans-ATS) will be the riders to watch. Suzuki-Trek will be hoping that the male riders will perform as strongly as their women teammates.  Other riders include: Team Suzuki-Trek (Timothy Cameron, William Lind, Ivan Michelin-Beard, Damien Wright, Mitchell Pearson, Joshua Lind and Sam Sautelle), Stuart Shaw (Drapac) and Alistair Loutit (GPM-Wilson Racing).  After a guest appearance with Suzuki-Trek, Mitchell Lovelock-Fay rejoins Jayco-Honey Shotz.

After the Olympics, Chloe Hosking (Team Specialized-Lululemon) heads to France for the Route de France Féminine, which commences on 4 August. The Route de France Feminine is an 8 Stage race.