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Giro resets the form guide for the coming Tour
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As the Giro starts to wind down, and the blog opportunities start to dry up, this might be the best chance to look ahead to the Tour de France and predict the Australians likely to be selected to make it to the start line in Brest on July 5.
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Based on form this year, experience in Grand Tours and overall value and reliability, I've come to the conclusion nine Aussies are in the running.
BADEN COOKE
2008 should mark the return of Cookie.
He's been in sizzling form for Barloworld this season and deserves another crack at the big time.
This time he should have a team that is devoted entirely to his needs.
Here's hoping meticulous physical and mental preparation provides the tonic that gets him over the line.
Podcast: video highlights of every stage of the 2008 Giro d'Italia
SIMON GERRANS
He has suprisingly been keeping a low profile this year which tells me he too is revolving his build-up around the big race.
Known as the "Crocodile Man", Adam Hansen has pushed his way into Tour calculations on the strength of a solid showing in his first Giro.
He has been the most impressive Aussie in Italy these last few weeks and is Mark Cavendish's personal pick as the man he wants to lead-out for the sprints.
In the end it will be close as Hansen's inclusion in Team High Road may come down to a duel between he and Andre Greipel for the last spot.
Lowe is a former mountain bike champion who has served his apprenticeship on the pro-circuit for Discovery
Channel and now his new team.
His role will be to service the likes of Magnus Backstedt, David Zabriskie, David Millar and Christian Vande Velde through the high country.
You never know, he may even be in a position to challenge for GC himself if all else fails.
For the first time he won't be the centre of attention.
Racing for stage honours appears to be harder than ever for Australia's most recognised pro-cyclist judging by what we've seen in Italy this month.
Mark Cavendish and Daniele Bennati were the differences between Robbie winning and losing at the Giro - let's hope the tables are turned at the Tour.
Had the fall come later in the three week race, it may have also spelled the end of his Tour ambitions.
Stuey will again feature in CSC's super team and as the twilight years approach, wouldn't it be nice to see the Freckle wear yellow once again - for old times sake.
He was responsible for guiding Credit Agricole's sprint king Thor Hushovd to a stage 1 victory at the Tour of Catalunya earlier this month.
There's no reason why he won't do the same in France this July for his debut Tour appearance.
A triple world champion who has promised so much, yet has failed to deliver at this level for a variety of reasons.
By returning to his Canberra home last month for medical treatment, it surely isn't the ideal preparation for High Road's team captain who is again expected to challenge for overall honours.
As always, I have my fingers crossed for Michael Rogers.
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Comments (6)
Top names
Lloyd and Hayman won't get a run at the Tour. Jurgen VDB will push Lloyd out or a place and Hayman has never done a Tour. He's on Rabobank's roster to ride the Classics and the Giro and Vuelta.
02 Jun 2008 8:59 AEST
From: Coniston
You forgot a few more top Names
Matthew Loyd and Matthew Hayman
30 May 2008 17:57 AEST
From: s
Adam Hansen
Let's hope Hansen gets the nod ahead of Greipel, who is a strong sprinter himself. But let's face it, if Cavendish wants those stage wins Hansen, not Greipel will be the man who can set it up for him. He's been a beast...
30 May 2008 11:24 AEST
From: melbourne
Brett Lancaster
Hey Tomo what about Brett Lancaster? He should get a run for Milram.
30 May 2008 10:31 AEST
From: Euroa
Cookie
The Cookie "monster" is back!!!!
30 May 2008 10:27 AEST
From: Mareeba
Adam Hansen
Adam Hansen's rise has been nothing short of remarkable. He has so much energy to burn. What a find he is for High Road. A place in the Tour de France would be a fitting reward for a bloke we love here in North Queensland.
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Stay in touch with the ProTour road cycling season with SBS's cycling blog, featuring race reports, video highlights and blog coverage of every race of 2008, as well as details of SBS's racing coverage
Mike Tomalaris is SBS's cycling presenter, who has covered the Tour de France for 12 years. Mike is a keen cyclist himself, and covers a few hundred kilometres a week in a social weekend bunch ride. For cycling fans around Australia, Mike Tomalaris is cycling.
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