Plapp-Harper 1-2 for Jayco.
O’Brien comes in 6 minutes later to make it a Jayco only podium.
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That wasn’t the most exciting race, tbh, Plapp and Harper getting away at the 100km or so mark.
The women’s race was much more interesting with RRG winning the sprint (11 riders contested).
Rapt that Roseman gannon got the win because she has been poorly served by Jayco’s race calendar.
Great to see a dominant performance Jayco which is the they should be racing the Nationals.
Anyway its a an important month for the team with the TDU and Alula Tour.
Jayco have announced the signing of two young, Aussie talents for 2025 and 2026. Hamish Mckenzie which is no surprise will ride for the Hageon Jayco development team in 2024 and then join the WT in 2025. Aussie Junior ITT champion Will Holmes will ride for a French amateur team in 2024, join the Hageon Jayco Dev team in 2025 and then join the WT in 2026.
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Colonel on CN forum claims Jayco’ budget for this year is 34m. This person is very accurate with his info. I posted that Alula was paying good money but thought the total budget was 24 or 25 m. I was right about Ewan and Groenewegen both preferring to ride the Giro.
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Women’s TDU kicked off today with a sprint stage.
Break was duly caught, and Jayco seem to be controlling the sprint with 4 up front but somehow conspired to have Ally Wollaston (QS AG Insurance - Soudal) win. Edmonson was 2nd.
RRG was way out of position and finished 12th,
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WOOlaston was always the favorite to win that stage. SHE IS ON THE NExt tier if sprinters behind Wiebes, Kool and Balsamo. RRG correctly lead out Baker as she is the third fastest sprinter in the team. By the way Paternoster is the fastest sprinter in the team. It was sweet to see Kelland Obrien give Woolaston a hug after the finish and to see Plapp do likewise with Baker. Its good to see the men’s team supporting the women’s team.
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I would have thought RRG was faster than Baker, especially in the form she’s currently in.
The order of speed is Paternoster, Baker, Manly and RRG. It will be either Manly or RRG for stage two.
GC is really interesting at the women’s TDU - Last year was a better route for Spratt BUT unfortunately the strongest rider did not win the race - The route is better for Brown this year BUT if Ludwig is let off the leash she wins - The big danger is Gigante.
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And did it easily.
Manly the best of the Jayco and Australian girls in 6th
Spratt 7th
Gigante left exposed far too early by her teammates, and ended up 10th.
Cecilie is a class above these riders on this type of finish - Her only danger on Willunga Hill is Gigante. The Jayco women’s team for 2024 - They ride a calendar that befits the standard of there riders and they win 10 to 12 races - They ride a similar calendar to 2023 and they win 5 or less - In my eyes they’ve already made an inauspicious start by not riding the mallorca one day races which is a chance to embed the new, overseas contingent and possibly get a win - I wouldn’t waste my time riding in the UAE tour but instead focus on races in Spain in Early february - Ewan hasn’t quite recovered from his crash in the Nationals and is only 50/50 to start the TDU - Quick will be the replacement and they will sprint with Stewart.
How good was that attack from Gigante.
Shredded them.
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As, I’ve previously posted most talented Aussie rider in the last 25 years and has the skill set to win a GT - Post race interview were interesting from O’Grady - Stated that AG Insurance were last minute inclusions on the start list which suggests that Movistar not riding the race was a major part in Giagante’s move - Would like Gigante to ride the UAE Tour with its cross-winds and Jabel Hafeet climb - I am more than convinced about my post yesterday about Jayco’s Women’s team - They need to ride a smart calendar in 2024 - The most frustrating thing is the women’s team has money but a combination of not being a desired team and not many suitable riders coming out of contract last year was a problem.
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Movistar dropped her from the start list of a late season race last year, Tour of Romandie or Simac, can’t remember which, she voiced a fair bit of displeasure about that. I suspect the genesis of her move dates back to that.
Yes - She was supposed to return to Europe in May and then turned up in July - She rode a 6 day Tour of Scandinavia and then did some off grid gravel races - Then of couse Movistar not riding the TDU made the decision final - I will say that teams have kicked some own goals with Aussie riders and the TDU in the last two years - Lotto refusing to ride the 2023 TDU and then Ineos not giving Plapp leadership in the 2023 TDU are reasons why they both ended up at Jayco - Teams need to realise these are marquee riders in Australia and are wanted by the TDU organizers - I am surprised these teams could be so dumb.
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You were right about Gigante! After she returned to Europe in July, 2023, Movistar only raced her for 6 days in 4 months - I thought she may have been injured or not fit, however, this was not the case.
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Quiz question for Barry Day - Reckon Jayco mens team have a rider who can win the Olympic’s RR . Who is it?
Gee, that’s a tough one, I only just looked at the course just then.
Looks tailor made for MVDP or WVA.
In yesteryear I’d say Matthews, but his days of beating MVDP and WVA on a lumpy course are over.
Plapp doesn’t do one day races apart from National Championships. You’d think he had the right attributes, but perhaps he’ll be too focused on the ITT.
If I was to go for a smokey, I’d go for one of the youngsters like Del Pretto.
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Mauro Schmid.