Tour Down Under Flying Fosters Tour 2012 Stage 2
Stage 2 Started out today with a war of words of the large discrepencies in results between both competing blogs. Scoreboards differed dramatically having Vic leading 2-0 and NSW leading 2-0.
I am not sure who the optometrist is up in Manly but I am pretty sure they could make some money out of these Manly boys.
Kable applying his Lippy. Mardi Gras is not until March mate.We rolled out to take on the new famous climb Greenhill Rd/Mt Lofty summit. Some of the crew took off early and didn't partake in the pre ride coffee.The Celtic Decor guys from Melbourne were along to prop up the Superteam from Victoria. It was like adding Hushovd and Gilbert to BMC with Cadel or the merging of Leopard and Radioshack. An unstoppable Force!!!!
The ride up Greenhill started out ok.....for the first 250m until DeLuca attacked up the footpath. Gus followed and it was on. With El Presidente left on his own as Buzz went looking for cracks in the Scott. the Hampton Boys had a bit of fun playing with the much older man. Gotta hand it to him he didnt seem to change his demeanour when I deliberatly surged or slowed him down when he went to the front to chase Gus - the rabbit down. I even put him in the gutter and he just kept on suffering. If I can get the GoPro footage of the Fozz pulling in the deep breath's many a laugh to be had there.
Gussy took the climb out with the Prez dropping back behind Damo. DeLuca had been up with the boys but lost contact. Rob SRAM Eva bridged across to me and some even more fun footage of him taking in some big breaths holding on. Even DeLuca was sucking in the big ones. I gotta get that footage up. The bunch at the back were making a little ground on us, so the Hammer was played and put them out of the equation.
A quick regroup before making the final climb to Mt Lofty saw Damo take the top section of the climb. Not sure which Vicco took out the early departees but not a hope the Sydney guys had anyone to match the climbing efficiency of Gerry Donnelly from the Melbourne Celtic boys.
A super fast descent out of Lofty saw the Vics again leave everyone of the Sydney boys in there wake. The smoking pace through the Basket Range descent left them for dead.They were that slow they almost missed the start of the race in Lobethal. Another point on the board with Jacko (Nick,Ivan,Collins) taking the glory. This was another bloodbath to replicate the shellacing dished out in 2012.
Big Jens even said to Shut Up Manly Sea Legs!The climb out of Lobethal through to the KOM before Stirling was as picturesqe as ever. I really cant work out why the Kits on the Celtic boys are all black with no sponsors displayed on them. Guys Rapha has that down pat.
Jay about to climb the KOM stage 2
Only 4 of the Hampton Boys chose to descend and climb the KOM, 10-15% for 1.1kms was just not what the legs were after, but oh well more KOM points to Us. I have lost count on how many victories straight that is now?
Will Clarke taking out the KOM
The ride to Stirling was fun with the usual arrival where everybody gets lost. The fact that the Telecommunications in Stirling wont let more than 5 mobile phones work at once meant there wasn't a way to get in touch and regroup.
Many a great Vantage point was had and witnessing an almost carbon copy of the Vics domination of NSW, saw Tassies (Almost Vic) Will Clarke hold in for a massive victory. He kept his cool and held on. Learn from that Team NSW!
Victoria's :) Will Clarke smashing the stage today. Stuey Trying to get to the line.The descent out of Stilring has always been one of the highlights of the Flying Fosters Tour and last year Stuey and Leopard showed us the route via Belair, It was on like Donkey Kong again for the 10th time of the day. A little dangerous at times but fun none the less. Even the 3rd less vocal Foster managed to have fun on the way down. In his words Gravity Helps.
The smashfest to follow along Cross Rd was very civilized and mimicked a slow recovery ride for the Melbourne boys. If only the traffic lights had been synched to allow a 60kph average flow smoothly and carefree. Many a cyclist was heard to mutter WTF!!!! as we cruised by.
A last ditch effort from Sledge saw him take the biccies at the turn to Glenelg and then Gus take the Biccies at Glenelg. The Bloodbath continued.
Scoreboard Vics 10 NSW 1 (not even sure what they got 1 for but i'll give them a point to make them happy and shut them up.)
Some big rides in the first 2 stages by.
Nick Jacko Ivan Collins for just going and going after last years apprenticeship.
Dave the koala Foster for actually keeping up on the climbs and then driving it down the other side. I am sure Russ Forbes will hear about his form this year.
Angus The Rabbit for his climbing and endurance on his first FFT.
Damo for having zero training looking like a Rugby player and outclimbing and out cornering anyone in hi way, even if its from the other side of the road.
Jay for not climbing a hill larger than the rise up his driveway.
Big Richie for getting back to the hotel first and making sure all our clothes are washed and dry.
DeLuca for getting some sleep and having oxygen instead of alcohol running through his veins (but can it last?)
Yours Truly for lugging around the massive camera all week and recording everything for prosperities sake.
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