What Stuart O'Grady says...
Checker Hill never gets any easier. It's a really steep climb and it's very early in the race. Many people will be trying to conserve energy as it's the first proper climb. A lot of guys haven't raced yet this year so the heart rate will be going and it hurts a lot.
It's quite a lumpy ride out to Lobethal. We've done some reconnaissance and it's a lot harder than what it looks on paper. It could be a real little surprise package that day. The final 10km of the circuit is really, really tough. Especially as it's the first main race of the year a lot of guys won't have much racing under the belt. It could come as a real shock to the system and come out with a surprise result.
There are plenty of opportunities for attacks and I don't think it's going to come down to a big bunch sprint. It's tough enough to split the field. Even the final sprint to the line is a slight drag uphill. For the first race of the year it's going to really hurt.
Profile
Image ©: Santos Tour Down Under
-
Why are Visma-Lease a Bike glueing their tubeless tyres into place at the Spring Classics?
Old school meets new school as Visma-Lease a Bike mechanics turn to tubular glue for their tubeless tyres, here's why. -
How to watch gravel races around the world - A guide to livestreams and free broadcasts for the biggest events including The Traka, Unbound Gravel and more
Tune to YouTube channels in March for Valley of Tears Dirt Crit and full coverage of The Mid South, with The Hills streamed on Gravel Earth Series TV -
Vuelta a Extremadura: Zoe Bäckstedt blasts through rain to net stage 1 time trial
Briton finishes 12 seconds clear of closest rival Brodie Chapman -
Who will challenge Jonas Vingegaard at the Race to the Sun? Analysing the contenders for Paris-Nice
Juan Ayuso and Oscar Onley line up among the other favourites for the eight-day stage race
