The Tour Down Under was the first big race of the year. Andre Griepel collected 3 stage wins and Simon Gerrans won GC. The real story for me was the impressive showing of the local UniSA team. They picked up a super breakaway victory for Will Clarke on stage 2 and their rider Rohan Dennis won the Mountain & Youth classification.
Elsewhere there was another stage race in Argentina which I didn't follow: Tour de San Luis won by Levi Leipheimer.
The European season kicked off with the GP la Marseillaise. This was the first outing for my favorite Europcar team. They managed to ride a solid race and new rider Davide Malacarne finished 5th.
Team Europcar also relaunched their website, which was most welcome, as it now features an official shop.
Complimenting the new season I also joined the fantasy cycling game on the road.cc website. It looks more interesting than the other fantasy sport (football, cricket) games I've played before. There's an overall competition as well as separate prizes for each stage race throughout the season.
In other news a date has been announced for the verdict on the Contador doping case. February 6th will hopefully reveal the news the cycling world has been waiting for. If cheating has occurred I hope the punishment fits the crime. As a cycling fan I'd rather see Contador emerge free to ride after the verdict. He is arguably the best stage race rider in the world and certainly one of the best climbers. A stage race would be poorer without his presence. For me, at last years Tour de France, he made the attack of the whole tour. After struggling in stage 18, he made a ridiculously early attack on the next days stage. This attack resulted in the best stage of the tour and a stage that will live long in the memory. It put everyone on the back foot and forced a huge tactical error from Thomas Voeckler as he set off to chase Contador, which ultimately may have cost the Frenchman a place on the podium. Voeckler was the big loser that day, but it produced some epic road racing that day.
I have a feeling that Contador will be cleared of doping charges. The length of time this case has gone on would seem to suggest a favorable verdict for him. Then the world of cycling can move on to the next doping scandal. (step forward Marcel Kittel)
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Early 6 Nations Preview
The 6 Nations after a World Cup year is usually a good time for countries to bring in new changes. England, France and Italy all have new coaches. I expect a very open tournament with plenty of exciting games. Here's a look at the prospects of each nation.
Ireland
The Irish regions are in very good form at the moment and I think Ireland will start as joint favorites for the Championship with France. Two things initially stand-out, no O'Driscoll for the tournament; and will there be a hangover from their disappointing World Cup exit?
I expect Ireland to be the most consistent team of the tournament, and with the strength in their experienced forwards they will be difficult to beat. Ominously for the other nations both 10s, Sexton and O'Gara are in good form at the moment. Ireland to win a very close championship.
Predicted finish: 1st
France
The World Cup runners-up have Philippe Saint-Andre as their new coach. Predicting the form of France is a fruit-less task, though it's safe to expect the unexpected. Saint-Andre hasn't picked many new faces from the squad that played in the World Cup. In recent years the biggest flaw in the French team was having an unsettled first 15. If the new coach can give key players, such as Trinh-Duc, a run of games, then France can more successfully develop their brand of total rugby.
France may get off to a slow start in the tournament but I expect them to win most of their games.
Predicted finish: 2nd
England
The only way is up for the men in white after a nightmare last few months for the national team. A new coach, in Stuart Lancaster, though likely to just be an interim solution. As such, I expect England to really roll the dice (by their own standards) and blood some young players in key positions. Farrell at 10 and Ben Morgan at 8 should definitely get at least two starts. The main problem with England is their lack of creativity. Their backs in general don't have the natural flair or creativity compared to other teams. (France, Wales). That said, England always possess a strong set of forwards which ensures they are a match for any team.
With Toby Flood injured for the opening game the selectors have called up Charlie Hodgson, which amazes me. Charlie has had so many poor games for England that his international career should be truly over by now. How many chances does a player need to prove he's not international class? I don't care if Charlie's club form is excellent, he'll never the cut the mustard in my eyes.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Wales
Arguably the best performing 6 Nations team at the World Cup. Though this translated in Wales dropping 2 positions in the IRB rankings - how strange. Wales have struggled in the last 20 years to string together two consecutive good seasons. Which means the Welsh will have a disappointing year in 2012. Pundits may point towards a fresh crop of exciting young talent, North, Priestland, Faletau et al but that doesn't necessarily create a successful team.
It is worth highlighting the enormous talent of Dragons number 8 Toby Faletau. Still only 19 and one of the stand-out players of the World Cup, this kid should be one of the stars of the tournament. It will be fascinating to see how he responds to being a marked man. I'm sure he'll rise to the challenge.
So why have I only predicted a 4th place finish for my beloved Wales? Simple - the fixture list. England and Ireland away, two defeats. I'm actually a bit worried about the Irish backlash. I think the margin of victory will be over 20 points. Wales have France at home in March and by that stage Les Bleus should be too good for the men in red.
My one hope for the tournament is that Jason Tovey gets selected ahead of Dan Biggar in the squad.
Predicted finish: 4th
Scotland
Must be slightly depressing to be a Scotland supporter. A lack of world class players over the last 10 years means it's all about the "team" performance. Coach Andy Robinson is making steady progress with the talent available and in lock Richie Gray they have a potential Lions pick for 2013.
I was a fan of Nick De Luca when burst onto the scene but he hasn't really caught fire at International level.
Scotland will be competitive but they lack that bit of class to break into the top 3.
Predicted finish: 5th
Italy
Former Perpginan coach, Jacques Brunel, is the new man in charge of Italy. I think Italy are still years off regularly recording two wins in the championship. Difficult to know what difference Brunel can make in his first season. The Wooden Spoon beckons again.
Predicted finish: 6th
Ireland
The Irish regions are in very good form at the moment and I think Ireland will start as joint favorites for the Championship with France. Two things initially stand-out, no O'Driscoll for the tournament; and will there be a hangover from their disappointing World Cup exit?
I expect Ireland to be the most consistent team of the tournament, and with the strength in their experienced forwards they will be difficult to beat. Ominously for the other nations both 10s, Sexton and O'Gara are in good form at the moment. Ireland to win a very close championship.
Predicted finish: 1st
France
The World Cup runners-up have Philippe Saint-Andre as their new coach. Predicting the form of France is a fruit-less task, though it's safe to expect the unexpected. Saint-Andre hasn't picked many new faces from the squad that played in the World Cup. In recent years the biggest flaw in the French team was having an unsettled first 15. If the new coach can give key players, such as Trinh-Duc, a run of games, then France can more successfully develop their brand of total rugby.
France may get off to a slow start in the tournament but I expect them to win most of their games.
Predicted finish: 2nd
England
The only way is up for the men in white after a nightmare last few months for the national team. A new coach, in Stuart Lancaster, though likely to just be an interim solution. As such, I expect England to really roll the dice (by their own standards) and blood some young players in key positions. Farrell at 10 and Ben Morgan at 8 should definitely get at least two starts. The main problem with England is their lack of creativity. Their backs in general don't have the natural flair or creativity compared to other teams. (France, Wales). That said, England always possess a strong set of forwards which ensures they are a match for any team.
With Toby Flood injured for the opening game the selectors have called up Charlie Hodgson, which amazes me. Charlie has had so many poor games for England that his international career should be truly over by now. How many chances does a player need to prove he's not international class? I don't care if Charlie's club form is excellent, he'll never the cut the mustard in my eyes.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Wales
Arguably the best performing 6 Nations team at the World Cup. Though this translated in Wales dropping 2 positions in the IRB rankings - how strange. Wales have struggled in the last 20 years to string together two consecutive good seasons. Which means the Welsh will have a disappointing year in 2012. Pundits may point towards a fresh crop of exciting young talent, North, Priestland, Faletau et al but that doesn't necessarily create a successful team.
It is worth highlighting the enormous talent of Dragons number 8 Toby Faletau. Still only 19 and one of the stand-out players of the World Cup, this kid should be one of the stars of the tournament. It will be fascinating to see how he responds to being a marked man. I'm sure he'll rise to the challenge.
So why have I only predicted a 4th place finish for my beloved Wales? Simple - the fixture list. England and Ireland away, two defeats. I'm actually a bit worried about the Irish backlash. I think the margin of victory will be over 20 points. Wales have France at home in March and by that stage Les Bleus should be too good for the men in red.
My one hope for the tournament is that Jason Tovey gets selected ahead of Dan Biggar in the squad.
Predicted finish: 4th
Scotland
Must be slightly depressing to be a Scotland supporter. A lack of world class players over the last 10 years means it's all about the "team" performance. Coach Andy Robinson is making steady progress with the talent available and in lock Richie Gray they have a potential Lions pick for 2013.
I was a fan of Nick De Luca when burst onto the scene but he hasn't really caught fire at International level.
Scotland will be competitive but they lack that bit of class to break into the top 3.
Predicted finish: 5th
Italy
Former Perpginan coach, Jacques Brunel, is the new man in charge of Italy. I think Italy are still years off regularly recording two wins in the championship. Difficult to know what difference Brunel can make in his first season. The Wooden Spoon beckons again.
Predicted finish: 6th
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
The Olympics. A to W of Events
Last month I read an excellent book by David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton called How to Watch the Olympics. I can recommend it as essential reading before London 2012 begins.
Here are some things I learnt about the 29 sports that will be contested over 17 days.
Archery
If you hear someone shouting 'Fast!' it is not an attempt to increase the pace of shooting but to stop it.
Athletics
The women's discus record is longer than the men's - uniquely in Olympic sport. The women throw a discus half the weight.
Badminton
Shuttlecocks have been recorded at speeds in excess of 260km an hour.
Basketball
First full appearance in 1936.
Boxing
For men Super Heavyweight is the top weight division at 91kg plus.
Canoeing
16 Golds up for grabs.
Cycling
The Keirin is a track cycling event invented in Japan in the late 1940s.
Diving
The take-off is of equal importance to the flight and entry.
Equestrianism
In 1956 it achieved the unique feat of becoming the only Olympic event to have been held, in total, in a different country from the rest of the games. Australia's strict quarantine laws resulted in Stockholm being used as the venue.
Fencing
3 types of weapon. The épée duel is closest in style to classical dueling.
Football
The men's event is essentially an under 23s tournament, with 3 older players allowed.
Gymnastics
Trampoline has been at the Olympics since 2000.
Handball
Matches are officiated by two referees.
Hockey
The J-shaped sticks are all right-handed.
Judo
Cuba's women have done well in modern times to challenge the dominance of Japan and China.
Modern Pentathlon
The only sport specifically created for the Olympics.
Rowing
The lanes, though marked by buoys, are optional. Crews can take any course they like as long as they don't interfere with others.
Sailing
Great Britain tops the all-time Gold tally with 24. Hooray!
Shooting
Live pigeon shooting made a one-off appearance at the Paris 1900 games. Nearly 300 pigeons were killed.
Swimming
Michael Phelps is the greatest swimmer ever with a total of 14 Gold medals.
Synchronised swimming
The Russians are the swimmers to beat.
Table Tennis
Early versions of the game had names such as 'Whiff Waff' and 'Flim Flam'.
Taekwondo
Means 'the way of the foot and the fist'.
Tennis
Steffi Graff won a Golden Slam in 1988. The Olympic title and her Grand Slam.
Triathlon
The UK's Alistair Brownlee is one of the favorites for the men's event.
Volleyball
Indoor and Beach. In indoor volleyball the libero is a specialist position. They can only play in the back row and are not allowed to serve or spike the ball.
Water Polo
Olympic Presence: Men since 1900. Women since 2000.
Weightlifting
China is likely to dominate the women's event.
Wrestling
The competition for each weight division takes place on a single day.
Here are some things I learnt about the 29 sports that will be contested over 17 days.
Archery
If you hear someone shouting 'Fast!' it is not an attempt to increase the pace of shooting but to stop it.
Athletics
The women's discus record is longer than the men's - uniquely in Olympic sport. The women throw a discus half the weight.
Badminton
Shuttlecocks have been recorded at speeds in excess of 260km an hour.
Basketball
First full appearance in 1936.
Boxing
For men Super Heavyweight is the top weight division at 91kg plus.
Canoeing
16 Golds up for grabs.
Cycling
The Keirin is a track cycling event invented in Japan in the late 1940s.
Diving
The take-off is of equal importance to the flight and entry.
Equestrianism
In 1956 it achieved the unique feat of becoming the only Olympic event to have been held, in total, in a different country from the rest of the games. Australia's strict quarantine laws resulted in Stockholm being used as the venue.
Fencing
3 types of weapon. The épée duel is closest in style to classical dueling.
Football
The men's event is essentially an under 23s tournament, with 3 older players allowed.
Gymnastics
Trampoline has been at the Olympics since 2000.
Handball
Matches are officiated by two referees.
Hockey
The J-shaped sticks are all right-handed.
Judo
Cuba's women have done well in modern times to challenge the dominance of Japan and China.
Modern Pentathlon
The only sport specifically created for the Olympics.
Rowing
The lanes, though marked by buoys, are optional. Crews can take any course they like as long as they don't interfere with others.
Sailing
Great Britain tops the all-time Gold tally with 24. Hooray!
Shooting
Live pigeon shooting made a one-off appearance at the Paris 1900 games. Nearly 300 pigeons were killed.
Swimming
Michael Phelps is the greatest swimmer ever with a total of 14 Gold medals.
Synchronised swimming
The Russians are the swimmers to beat.
Table Tennis
Early versions of the game had names such as 'Whiff Waff' and 'Flim Flam'.
Taekwondo
Means 'the way of the foot and the fist'.
Tennis
Steffi Graff won a Golden Slam in 1988. The Olympic title and her Grand Slam.
Triathlon
The UK's Alistair Brownlee is one of the favorites for the men's event.
Volleyball
Indoor and Beach. In indoor volleyball the libero is a specialist position. They can only play in the back row and are not allowed to serve or spike the ball.
Water Polo
Olympic Presence: Men since 1900. Women since 2000.
Weightlifting
China is likely to dominate the women's event.
Wrestling
The competition for each weight division takes place on a single day.
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