The Coffee Ride #40 with Reece Homfray
IT WOULD be remiss not to open this week’s edition of The Coffee Ride with anything other than Tasmanian Richie Porte who finds himself in the race of his life.
AUSSIE CYCLING FRESHLY BREWED EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING, EXCLUSIVE TO ADVERTISER.COM.AU
RICHIE IN THE RACE OF HIS LIFE
IT WOULD be remiss not to open this week’s edition of The Coffee Ride with anything other than Tasmanian Richie Porte who finds himself in the race of his life.
The first week of the 2014 Tour de France has been described by Orica-GreenEDGE director Matt White as “the most difficult start” to a Tour in the modern era.
Not surprisingy, it claimed the scalps of some of the peloton’s biggest names in Mark Cavendish, Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck before the first rest day.
Racing resumes tonight with Stage 11 from Besancon to Oyonnax — a bumpy 186km trek which could produce the same fireworks to what unfolded on Stage 10 on Monday night.
Porte is second on general classification, 2mins 23secs behind Italian race leader Vincenzo Nibali.
There are 11 stages and a hell of a lot of climbing still to do before they get to Paris.
And that climbing comes before the 54km Stage 20 individual time trial which could decide the Tour.
Without knowing what will unfold in the Alps, it’s worth looking at the last time Porte and Nibali raced each other in a Tour de France which was 2012.
Coincidentally, the Stage 19 individual time trial in 2012 was 53.5km — almost identical in distance to this year’s ITT.
In 2012 the time trial was almost completely flat and Porte finished fifth, 2:25 behind his Sky leader and eventual winner Bradley Wiggins. Nibali was 16th, 3:38 off the pace.
This year the penultimate stage time trial isn’t anything to be feared, but it is relatively undulating with four minor ascents to conquer on the way to the finish. Neither Porte or Nibali will be worried about that.
It has long been said that Porte was Cadel Evans’ heir apparent as Australia’s next GC contender in cycling’s Grand Tours.
That the changing of the guard has happened so swiftly with Porte unexpectedly having to step up to lead Team Sky in the first Tour de France Evans has missed since 2004 has caught everyone by surprise.
But he has embraced the responsibility with open arms and showed why Australia has a new hero.
Note: This is the final edition of The Coffee Ride until September as I’m about to head to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games but you can keep up to date with all the latest Aussie cycling news on Twitter @reecehomfray.
‘NEW’ AUSSIE HEADING TO GLASGOW WITH CONFIDENCE
ONE of Australia’s key riders at next month’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games only secured her citizenship last year and admits she still feels like a “cycling apprentice”.
German-born Katrin Garfoot who married an Australian mountain biker who introduced her to cycling has enjoyed a phenomenal rise in the sport which this year has led to a stint with professional woman’s team Orica-AIS and national selection.
Garfoot, 32, who lives in Queensland won the National Road Series and the Oceania road race championship last year and has continued her good form in 2014.
This month she was the highest placed Australian finisher in 28th overall in the Giro Rosa.
“It was such a great opportunity and experience to race the biggest stage race with such a great team,” she said.
“I felt like a cycling apprentice and they taught me a lot.
“The Giro was very tough for me, especially because I haven’t often been racing against so many good girls at once.
“After the prologue I made the mistake not to eat much and thus I lacked energy in the first road stage which put me back quiet a bit.
“Of course I was doubting my climbing abilities when I couldn’t keep up with the girls who I knew I (had beaten) before on hills and I was also overwhelmed by the technical course in such a big bunch that first day.”
Garfoot said her confidence racing in a bunch began to grow and having worked out not to put herself into the red zone too soon, was able to pull past a lot of the field on the final mountain stage.
“I was surprised that eating was getting tough by day four or five. I knew the body needs the food and I forced myself to eat but it was an effort to chew and swallow.”
Garfoot will have an easy week to recover then race this week before getting ready for the road race and time trial in Glasgow.
“I feel lucky to get the opportunity to start at the time trial,” she said.
“It’s mainly for experience to get used to such big events. I certainly have not been focusing on time trial training, also because six weeks of training would not have made me a great time trailer.
“I hope I can do my best in the time trial and just see how I slot into the field.
“The road race is a different story and I hope that I can help the Aussie team to mix things up.”
Garfoot, who outside of cycling has a Diploma of Education (secondary), Bachelor of Human Biology (applied sciences) and a Bachelor of Sport Science (rehabilitation and prevention), said she was pleased her hard work on the bike was also paying off.
“I’m very focused and analyse things a lot, maybe sometimes a bit too much,” she said.
“Of course I have a certain talent to be able to have made it that far in such a short time, but without hard work, even the talent would not have got me where I am now.
“I’m very determined to see where I can go in the next few years. I wasn’t expecting to make such big steps this year and am very pleased to have the opportunity to race with Orica-AIS as well as the national team.
“Both teams will give me the opportunity to learn in different environments and different skills.”
DECISION CLOSER ON CADEL ROAD RACE
ORGANISERS of a new cycling race to be named after Cadel Evans and held along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road are inching closer to detailing their plans.
The Victorian Major Events Company has been in talks with the UCI — world cycling’s governing body — and Cycling Australia about staging a one-day race next January which would lure some of the world’s best cyclists to the state.
In April The Advertiser revealed that the project was in the pipeline and had the backing of CA president Gerry Ryan and the UCI confirmed the news in a statement which said:
“Australia has expressed interest in hosting an event and discussions have taken place with Cycling Australia in view of adding a new race on the UCI calendar.”
Now hot on the heels of Adelaide's Tour Down Under last week being awarded a two-year WorldTour licence extension, a decision on Australia’s newest race is believed to be imminent.
The UCI held a licence commission meeting in Switzerland earlier this month.
In April Ryan told The Advertiser the new event — to honour Australia’s only Tour de France champion — would compliment a bumper summer of cycling which includes the Bay criterium series, TDU and Herald Sun Tour from January to February.
“It would be great for the sport and would add to the Tour Down Under, which is a fantastic event,” Ryan said.
“The more people see of that level (WorldTour) in Australia, the better.
“But I’d like to see a women’s event as well and I’ve spoken to the Tour Down Under and Victoria to say, ‘don’t forget the women’, and I’d like to see a (women’s) event.”
If the race is granted WorldTour status it would mean every WorldTour team must attend, but the next level down is a UCI 1. HC classification which allows for a maximum of 70 per cent WorldTour teams.
While the race is expected to be named after Evans, it is not known whether the 37-year-old will still be racing in 2015 with his future at BMC unclear.
Evans, who is absent from this month’s Tour de France for the first time in 10 years, is out of contract with his team at the end of the season and is not believed to have made a call on his racing future.
TINKOFF-SAXO’S SMART IN-VESTMENT
IN A case of common sense prevailing in cycling, Tinkoff Saxo have come up with a novel way to make life easier for domestiques who are sent back to the team car to collect and distribute water bottles.
Designed by Sportful which is the clothing supplier for the WorldTour team which includes Australian Michael Rogers, the bottle vest has made its first appearance at this year’s Tour de France.
Seen above as worn by Polish rider Rafal Majka, the vest was given a thumbs up from Italian Daniele Bennati.
“When I go to the team car, the sport director or mechanic has prepared it for me, I put it on and off I go,” Bennati said.
“When I reach my teammates, they can just take the bottles straight off my back.”
The vest can hold seven water bottles and was a specific request from team director Bjarne Riis.
It means riders on the team are no longer stuffing water bottles down the back of their jersey which can create chaos in the peloton if one slips out and onto the road.
Tinkoff-Saxo lost its leader in Alberto Contador who crashed out of the Tour de France with a broken leg on Stage 10.
BELOW THE BELT PEDALTHON
SIMON Clarke was in the middle of his final commerce and science exams in November, 2012 when he didn’t feel right.
“Nothing too concerning but a bit of pain in my stomach,” he said.
“Then after rounds of tests I had a blood test and was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“It was a huge shock, I didn’t even consider it to be an option and it took me back.”
Clarke was 23 at the time and within days he was in hospital for treatment.
“Touch wood now I’ve been in remission for two years and am very grateful for the fantastic medical advice and treatment I received.
“But more than anything it was a reality check that even at my age these things can happen.”
Clarke spent a year travelling and while he was away decided he wanted to do something to help.
He always loved cycling and after partnering with ANZUP — Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trial — he came up with the idea to hold a cycling event dubbed ‘The Below the Belt Pedalthon’.
“Since being diagnosed I’ve found out it’s the most common type of cancer in young men and I wanted to raise awareness and help people who might be in the same position as me,” Clarke said.
ANZUP, which does clinical trials for testicular, bladder, kidney and prostate cancers, will be the beneficiary of the inaugural Below the Belt Pedalthon which will be held on Tuesday, September 13 at the Eastern Creek V8 Supercar circuit.
The event is targeting corporate teams of up to eight riders who pedal around the circuit where it’s most laps in four hours wins.
There will also be mini-challengers within the main event.
So far 10 teams have committed to being involved and companies Gresham Partners, Herbert Smith Freehills and Thompson Geer have come on board as sponsors.
Anyone wanting to get involved should visit the website at www.belowthebeltpedalthon.org.au.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK ...
“Alberto was in the shape of his life and the entire team had our eyes fixed on the podium in Paris and the work we would have to do to get there”.
- Tinkoff-Saxo director Bjarne Riis on losing Alberto Contador to a broken leg on Monday night.
“As expected, it has been the most difficult start to a Tour de France in the modern era.”
- Orica-GreenEDGE director Matt White on this year’s Tour de Carnage.
“You guys got your drama but it takes the whole race down a notch when you have a big favourite who is now out.”
- American Tejay van Garderen reacts after the Stage 5 cobblestones brought defending champion Chris Froome undone.
“If he (Wiggins) was considered as the plan B, we would have selected him. Richie Porte is our plan B and we selected a team based on the facts at the time and that’s how it panned out.”
- Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford on his decision not to select Bradley Wiggins for the Tour after Chris Froome crashed out.
“He took me, he can’t do that. Do you think that’s acceptable? I was pulling out the way and he took me down.”
- Garmin-Sharp’s Andrew Talansky vents his anger after being involved in a crash with Australian star Simon Gerrans during Stage 6.
TWEET, TWEET
That was one nasty stage! At one point visibility was only 6riders in front of you and it was freezing cold. Happy to have a rest day now!
— Mark Renshaw (@Mark_Renshaw) July 14, 2014— Australian rider Mark Renshaw on the shocking conditions riders faced earlier in the week at the Tour de France.
Originally published as The Coffee Ride #40 with Reece Homfray
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