So early in the season and Vine really smashed the opposition. His average speed is quite fast for a 40km ITT with 380m of altitude. He could compete for a win in a GT ITT in this form.
My point is that it's very early in the season to be in such a form or he has improved a lot. Ganna wouldn't have ridden that fast today for example. So no need to be sarcastic.
To be fair Ganna probably hasnt spent the last month training in aussie summer conditions to try and win the national champs. Also hard to judge how good he was if theres only one other top level triallist there who obviously had a serious off day
He’s an Aussie that’s peaked for the Aussie championships. Don’t think there’s much more in it than that tbh. Plapp 3 mins down is super surprising tho
As did the 3rd (Kell O'Brien) and 5th (Conor Leahy who as 3rd in 2022 National ITT).
Domestic Australian riders like Leahy and Bleddyn peak in January, as good performances in the National and TDU (as part of the National team) can get you noticed.
Sports Federations often get money for potential Olympic medals only. A cycling federation can then decide whether to invest in track (12 potential medals) or road (4 medals). The math is easy. Meaning even a young road cyclist will have to try on the track one day
Additionally road cycling has more outside funding.
Worlds wasn't exactly a normal TT by him, he mentioned he couldn't adjust to the altitude/pollution combo and was doing 50-ish watts less than he'd done the week before in training. Today should have been a lot more straightforward.
Yes, but Plapp was allegedly targeting this much harder than Vine (as least if you believe The Domestiques and other commentary). Also to have him well behind BOC, Kel O'Brien and Hamish McKenzie is really weird. Makes me think something's up with him, and definitely makes me wonder about his fitness on Sunday.
Not really sure you should believe everything you read. Vine's results at several TTs last year show he's one of the best in the world. Plapp hasn't faired that well against Ganna, Tarling or Evenepole. I expect Vine will have some big results this year.
As a huge fan of Vine, couldn't agree more and I'm pretty stoked he'll be in the green and gold for his TTs now. Was hoping he'd find a spot in the Tour team for once, but that's still yet to come I guess.
UAE starts the year as they want to go on - Vine picks up the win.
The second place rider, Oliver Bleddyn, is not in the World Tour but has a place on the Australian team at the TDU next week. I don't know too much about him - one to watch?
Wi
Australia seems to be dominating this race!
/s
They've been dominating everything all year. I think they are the new defining cycling world superpower.
In the first week of January they are unbeatable.
Anywhere I can watch this in full or highlights/recap?
No spoilers please
Highlights on YouTube
What happened to the Plappman
First race thread of the year? Hype mode activated
is there a way to watch this??
If in AUS, SBS on demand have replays or you can watch live when it’s on. I’m in UK and watch via VPN
I’m in the US and also watch on SBS. Kinda amazed that it’s free.
First pornostache win of 2026
Oh wow, what happened to Plapp?
WC 4th Chapman was defeated by the 20 years old Wilson-Haffenden. Nice.
This a cute congratulation from Chapman.
Plapp with almost 3 min. down 😯
So early in the season and Vine really smashed the opposition. His average speed is quite fast for a 40km ITT with 380m of altitude. He could compete for a win in a GT ITT in this form.
It was also windy as, 30kph gusting to 50kph and mix of cross headwind and cross tailwind.
really? you think the guy who got second in the world champs ITT this year could compete for a grand tour TT? surely not
My point is that it's very early in the season to be in such a form or he has improved a lot. Ganna wouldn't have ridden that fast today for example. So no need to be sarcastic.
To be fair Ganna probably hasnt spent the last month training in aussie summer conditions to try and win the national champs. Also hard to judge how good he was if theres only one other top level triallist there who obviously had a serious off day
If you'd have the Italian national championships at the start of January, Ganna might be in a decent form.
He’s an Aussie that’s peaked for the Aussie championships. Don’t think there’s much more in it than that tbh. Plapp 3 mins down is super surprising tho
Who's this Oliver Bleddyn? Never heard of the bloke or his team, but this is a good result considering the competition
Well, he did win a Gold Medal in then team pursuit in Paris, so I guess he's got something going...
As did the 3rd (Kell O'Brien) and 5th (Conor Leahy who as 3rd in 2022 National ITT).
Domestic Australian riders like Leahy and Bleddyn peak in January, as good performances in the National and TDU (as part of the National team) can get you noticed.
You can usually assume track when you see an unknown Australian performing, they’ve got some excellent track riders
You mean they have a good … track record?
groan
Isn't almost every Australian road rider an ex-track rider?
Kind of similar in Germany or UK.
Sports Federations often get money for potential Olympic medals only. A cycling federation can then decide whether to invest in track (12 potential medals) or road (4 medals). The math is easy. Meaning even a young road cyclist will have to try on the track one day
Additionally road cycling has more outside funding.
Well, when you really think about it, isn’t every road just an outdoor track surface but concrete and not in a loop?
Whoa man, so much to think about now.
Surprising results in both - was expecting Chapman to easily take out the Women's and definitely not expecting Plappy to be over 2 mins down.
Wasn't he 2 min down at world to Vine?
Worlds wasn't exactly a normal TT by him, he mentioned he couldn't adjust to the altitude/pollution combo and was doing 50-ish watts less than he'd done the week before in training. Today should have been a lot more straightforward.
Yes, but Plapp was allegedly targeting this much harder than Vine (as least if you believe The Domestiques and other commentary). Also to have him well behind BOC, Kel O'Brien and Hamish McKenzie is really weird. Makes me think something's up with him, and definitely makes me wonder about his fitness on Sunday.
Not really sure you should believe everything you read. Vine's results at several TTs last year show he's one of the best in the world. Plapp hasn't faired that well against Ganna, Tarling or Evenepole. I expect Vine will have some big results this year.
As a huge fan of Vine, couldn't agree more and I'm pretty stoked he'll be in the green and gold for his TTs now. Was hoping he'd find a spot in the Tour team for once, but that's still yet to come I guess.
Yeah, quite a shocker for Plapp, I’m curious what happened.
Nice first pro win for Wilson-Haffenden though
UAE starts the year as they want to go on - Vine picks up the win.
The second place rider, Oliver Bleddyn, is not in the World Tour but has a place on the Australian team at the TDU next week. I don't know too much about him - one to watch?
Bleddyn seems to be mostly a track rider, seeing that he won Gold in team pursuit at the last Olympics
lmao yeah that'll do it