ID :
41508
Mon, 01/19/2009 - 16:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/41508
The shortlink copeid
Rogers set to sizzle in Tour Down Under
A little snowball is starting to build momentum for top Australian cyclist Michael Rogers in the heat of the Adelaide summer.
The 29-year-old will start the six-day Tour Down Under on Tuesday as one of the
favourites for overall honours, having started the year impressively.
While most of the attention will be on Lance Armstrong and his comeback, riders such
as Rogers will make the race itself.
Rogers won the Tour in 2002 and two-time champion Stuart O'Grady is another possible
challenger, along with fellow Australians Allan Davis and Matt Lloyd.
Rogers, the three-time world time trial champion, won that favoured event last week
at the national titles and was in a great position to take out the road race as
well.
Sydney's Peter McDonald upset Rogers and Columbia-Highroad team-mate Adam Hansen to
win the road championship, but the finish was the only poor part of Rogers' ride.
He has had a tough couple of years, but compatriot and Columbia director Alan Peiper
feels the Canberra native is about to return to top form.
"I feel there's a maturity and an authority that drips off him, I feel he's just
waiting for his time," Peiper said.
"I see great things for Michael this year.
"You roll a little snowball down the hill and it just gets bigger and bigger - I
feel that's happening with Michael now."
Rogers has finished in the top 10 overall at the Tour de France and was the virtual
leader of the race when he crashed two years ago, fracturing his collarbone.
Then there were complications when his wife Alessia gave birth to twins Sofia and
Matilde, although all three are now well.
Rogers also contracted glandular fever early last year and this eventually meant he
did not ride at the Tour de France.
But he finished off the year well, scoring two top-10 results on the road at the
Olympics.
"I think the best measure of myself is how I come back this year," said Rogers.
"If you saw the negative side of it you wouldn't get out of bed - I have to turn it
round and make it a positive."
Rogers' main aims this year will be the Giro d'Italia in May and then the July Tour
de France.
On paper, Columbia will have the strongest team this week.
Apart from Rogers, they also feature American George Hincapie, Hansen, defending
Tour champion Andrew Greipel and Australian all-rounder Mark Renshaw.
But the Australian championships road race and the Cancer Council Classic on Monday
night showed their talent will not automatically translate into wins.
After McDonald's upset win, Columbia worked well at the front of Monday's race.
They tried to set up Greipel for the sprint win, but he took fourth behind
Australian sprint ace Robbie McEwen.
Peiper has analysed the two races repeatedly and admits he should relax, given the
team is obviously in form.
The Tour starts with a 140km stage from Norwood to Mawson Lakes, north of the city,
and it should be a day for the sprinters.
The 29-year-old will start the six-day Tour Down Under on Tuesday as one of the
favourites for overall honours, having started the year impressively.
While most of the attention will be on Lance Armstrong and his comeback, riders such
as Rogers will make the race itself.
Rogers won the Tour in 2002 and two-time champion Stuart O'Grady is another possible
challenger, along with fellow Australians Allan Davis and Matt Lloyd.
Rogers, the three-time world time trial champion, won that favoured event last week
at the national titles and was in a great position to take out the road race as
well.
Sydney's Peter McDonald upset Rogers and Columbia-Highroad team-mate Adam Hansen to
win the road championship, but the finish was the only poor part of Rogers' ride.
He has had a tough couple of years, but compatriot and Columbia director Alan Peiper
feels the Canberra native is about to return to top form.
"I feel there's a maturity and an authority that drips off him, I feel he's just
waiting for his time," Peiper said.
"I see great things for Michael this year.
"You roll a little snowball down the hill and it just gets bigger and bigger - I
feel that's happening with Michael now."
Rogers has finished in the top 10 overall at the Tour de France and was the virtual
leader of the race when he crashed two years ago, fracturing his collarbone.
Then there were complications when his wife Alessia gave birth to twins Sofia and
Matilde, although all three are now well.
Rogers also contracted glandular fever early last year and this eventually meant he
did not ride at the Tour de France.
But he finished off the year well, scoring two top-10 results on the road at the
Olympics.
"I think the best measure of myself is how I come back this year," said Rogers.
"If you saw the negative side of it you wouldn't get out of bed - I have to turn it
round and make it a positive."
Rogers' main aims this year will be the Giro d'Italia in May and then the July Tour
de France.
On paper, Columbia will have the strongest team this week.
Apart from Rogers, they also feature American George Hincapie, Hansen, defending
Tour champion Andrew Greipel and Australian all-rounder Mark Renshaw.
But the Australian championships road race and the Cancer Council Classic on Monday
night showed their talent will not automatically translate into wins.
After McDonald's upset win, Columbia worked well at the front of Monday's race.
They tried to set up Greipel for the sprint win, but he took fourth behind
Australian sprint ace Robbie McEwen.
Peiper has analysed the two races repeatedly and admits he should relax, given the
team is obviously in form.
The Tour starts with a 140km stage from Norwood to Mawson Lakes, north of the city,
and it should be a day for the sprinters.
