Mat Hayman's view
This is more than just a criterium because it's the first real roll-out for a lot of riders on new teams. For many of the Australians, they've already raced at the national championships, but for the rest of the peloton, a lot of riders will have arrived with new squads and new equipment. For everyone involved it's always good to have this little hit-out before the Tour Down Under starts a couple of days later.
This year it's a slightly different circuit with an extra corner thrown in, but it's just such a fast route that the break, which invariably forms, has very little chance of staying away. I tried last year as I was about to retire, but it didn't really happen because it's just so fast along those wide streets.
I was involved with a few wins there, with Team Sky and Mitchelton, and it's a great feeling to win and start the week with that momentum, so teams with sprinters will be treating this as a really competitive outing.
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![Trek-Segafredo suspend Quinn Simmons for 'divisive, incendiary, and detrimental' statements on social media]()
Trek-Segafredo suspend Quinn Simmons for 'divisive, incendiary, and detrimental' statements on social media
'He will not be racing for Trek-Segafredo until further notice' says American WorldTour team -
![Astana replaces two Giro d'Italia riders after contact with COVID-19-infected teammate]()
Astana replaces two Giro d'Italia riders after contact with COVID-19-infected teammate
Natarov, Pronskiy out, Gregaard Wilsly, Contreras in after Bizhigitov develops symptoms and tests positive -
![Vansevenant puts on a show in Flèche Wallonne]()
Vansevenant puts on a show in Flèche Wallonne
Deceuninck-QuickStep neo-pro crashes while solo with 4km to go -
![BinckBank Tour gets last-minute host towns in Belgium after Dutch stage cancellations]()
BinckBank Tour gets last-minute host towns in Belgium after Dutch stage cancellations
Riemst to host time trial on Friday, Aalter to host Thursday's start
