The Tour Down Below was pleasurable however it was over in a flash. I take pleasure in it, it’s actually the one race I’ll get off the bed to observe. But it surely’s additionally the identical race the place I do know I may be again in mattress in quarter-hour, post-race interviews and on-screen top-10 outcomes included. This yr was no exception. Can we’ve some extra please?
You may’t choose the winner confidently however you possibly can write the day’s script. A transfer goes clear, a rider from the Australian workforce will attempt to take the mountains factors earlier than it’s again collectively, the stage ends in a dash, be it a bunch dash or an uphill one. Variation? Nicely the Corkscrew Street climb has been thrilling because it’s seen strikes go and attempt to keep away; however coming with 6km to go it’s nonetheless all in regards to the finale; ditto Fox Creek Street this yr which was thrilling however once more with the motion saved for the ultimate ten minutes. Dash finishes are wonderful, Bora-hansgrohe’s lead out practice was spectacular. It was a thrill to see Isaac Del Toro take a win; however every so often it’d be thrilling if an earlier transfer seemed prefer it may stick, that moments of suspense lasted longer.
It’s very uncommon for an extended vary breakaway to make it, suppose Will Clarke’s 140km transfer in 2012; extra just lately Jay Vine did break up issues up in 2023 with a transfer with 22km on the stage to Victor Harbor. Seeing a stage win unfold with greater than ten minutes to go is uncommon, even having a transfer caught after a nail-biting chase is uncommon
For these proud Australians taking this as criticism of the race, it’s of types. However it is because I’d prefer to see extra, it’s like a diner complaining a couple of restaurant by saying the meals is sweet however the parts are tiny. Give me a feast, compel me to set my alarm a lot earlier, to observe extra of the Tour Down Below, to enviously spend hours admiring the South Australian countryside. Not less than for one stage within the week.
So, what about Milan-Sanremo or all these different races?Whatabouttery doesn’t make the Tour Down Below any higher. However in fact there are different predictable races. To pre-empty feedback, sure Australians might set alarm clocks for the Poggio and catch a lot but certainly there wouldn’t be the identical infusion of adrenaline. Positive there may be days grand excursions that are very predictable however the level is there are different days with finish to finish motion too. And the Flèche Wallonne is yearly.
The TDU was as soon as a glorified coaching camp when riders would spin within the solar through the day after which sip and even sluice Shiraz within the evenings, however these days are gone because the common street rash from riders combating for place reveals. The game has modified too, everybody begins their season able to race and bag treasured UCI factors. Lengthy-range strikes occur within the early season too, take Neilson Powless’s win within the GP La Marseillaise final January, going within the breakaway with an hour to go and spending the ultimate 10 minutes dangling solo.
Simpler mentioned than doneSo what to do? The peloton can’t contrive to placed on an extended present and create suspense. However the course may help. A mountain mid-stage might blow the race to items however the final time I checked there aren’t any. Extra climbing has been tried however laps of Willunga or Lofty haven’t break up the race up, it’s simply made the ultimate dash end extra selective and that’s wonderful because it means the eventual total winner satisfies us as the very best rider. But it surely’s nonetheless motion for the final six minutes. An extended stage could possibly be examined, the elevated distance of say, 180km sooner or later. may play on the thoughts and legs alike and break the psychological sample, the established script however it’s not sure.
Within the different course the prologue was an innovation final yr however the race can’t have a full time trial stage as a result of this might imply flying out two time trial bikes and varied wheels, all for 20-Half-hour per rider and this logistical cost-benefit ratio often explains why some races have street bike solely TTs. Apart from it’s not gripping TV as TT phases are not often a hit in relation to scores however a minimum of we’d tune in earlier with the intention to make certain of watching the profitable journey.
GRVL?Possibly a gravel stage might spice issues up and increase scores? It’s possible too given the Adelaide Hills abound with loads of good gravel decisions (areas with vineyards usually do as a result of they’ve gravelly soils and farm tracks). Certainly this yr’s Tour Down Below had its personal gravel journey, a check occasion for the longer term? This stuff have occurred in different races earlier than, the Strade Bianche tempted the Giro d’Italia into holding gravel phases; the Tour de France Femmes went to Troyes in 2022 for its gravel stage with the lads’s race having gravel stage in Troyes subsequent summer time. However like a time trial stage there’s a logistics drawback, it might imply bringing out extra wheels and even particular gravel bikes given producers may insist their riders showcase the suitable mannequin. So not straightforward both. However simply as a prologue TT occurs on street bikes solely, perhaps two or three gravel parts might function. Put them at 40km from the end and the ultimate hour may be compelling and even when they’re the gentlest sections the “something might occur” facet may lure extra viewers.
ConclusionI need extra of the TDU not much less. I’m already completely happy to get off the bed at 4 within the morning and sit within the freezing darkness to see the brilliant new peloton amid the verdant vineyards of the Adelaide Hills. However the issue is I can stand up for the Tour Down Below and be again underneath the down blanket in quarter-hour and presumably viewers in Australia aren’t hooked for hours both.
