TrainingPeaks member Mark Dawson reports on the Tour Down Under from Adelaide, Australia
19 January 2009
This year’s professional cycling season is already getting started, with the 11th Tour Down Under in Australia officially beginning tomorrow, and TrainingPeaks member Mark Dawson is on site providing coverage of the race. Mark, who has used TrainingPeaks since 2002 to prepare for 9 AG World Championships, finishing top ten in three, has been battling huge crowds in Adelaide to bring us this report. Read on to learn what happened yesterday, watch videos of an Australian rider on the podium, and keep checking back for more updates!
Thousands of eager spectators enjoyed a symbolic start to the Tour yesterday with the Cancer Council Classic, a 51 kilometer criterium over a fast street circuit on the eastern edge of the parklands surrounding Adelaide’s central business district. While not a stage in the Tour Down Under (TDU), the race is a preparatory hit out for the teams to feel race pace and then take a rest day before the TDU proper begins tomorrow.
With last year’s race the first UCI Pro Tour Race outside Europe, the first-ever TDU back in 1999 was won by local hero Stuart O’Grady, with Cadel Evans the best young rider. Stuey won again in 2001, and Pocket Rocket Robbie McEwen has won the most stages (12). McEwen continued his winning ways when he won the Cancer Council Classic yesterday, to the delight of his fellow Australian fans. You can watch three videos of Pocket Rocket McEwen as he gets kissed by the podium girls, discusses the race and his team, and describes the finish, and read on for the rest of Today’s Tour Down Under Report From Mark Dawson.
Tour Down Under Report, by Mark Dawson
Many of the teams have been training in Adelaide to escape the northern hemisphere winter before the first season’s race. Cycling enthusiasts have been flocking in to watch the racing and ride the TDU Challenge – Stage 4’s 155 km from Burnside to Angaston. The Adelaide hills are covered in lycra and the city is slipping into party mode.
Lance is in town for his comeback race – Stage 1 on Tuesday. The media are all over him like a rash, despite his police and security escort. He’s described the security as awkward – he wants to be a man of the people. His new bike has two numbers painted on it: 1274 (days since he retired after the 2005 TDF) and 27.5 (million people who’ve died from cancer since he retired).
South Australia has a small population of 1.6 million people. Each day 24 new cancer diagnoses are made and nine people die of cancer. Lance has been visiting our hospitalised cancer patients – he’s a symbol of strength and hope and we’re privileged to host his visit.
The intrigue over how Lance will go racing has been building. Last night around 137,000 fans packed the Down Under Cancer Council Classic course looking for answers.
Lance began his comeback with a touch of class when he made sure South Australia’s favourite Stuey O’Grady found a space alongside him in the crowded front line at the start.
The peloton just cruised the first part of the race before reeling in local young gun Jack Bobridge who’d won the first two Prime sprints.
With two laps to go Team Columbia took control and looked to set up a win for 2008 champion Andre Greipel. But, after rounding the bend into the home straight Gert Steegmans led out Robbie McEwen who was too quick for Greipel (4th). Team Milram’s Willem Stroetinga finished second, with Australian Rabobank lead rider Graeme Brown third.
On the podium Robbie praised Steegmans: “He’s a 6’5” truck who’s led me into many winning sprints.”
“We’ve got win number one so we’re the happiest team here.”
When asked about chatting with Lance during the race Robbie said, “Early in the race he looked OK, I went and said, ‘G’Day’ somewhere in the first 10 laps and he said he was glad to be here. I said, ‘welcome back’ and he was cruising, just trying to stay out of trouble. He said, I’d shake your hand, but I don’t want to take my hands off the bars … first race back.”
After the race Lance said it had been tough. “I think the last time I did a criterium of this style it was in 1990. It’s not my style (of racing), but I enjoyed it. It was a tough criterium and I found it safer and a little easier in the back.”
Check back on the TrainingPeaks blog this week for more updates on the Tour Down Under from TrainingPeaks correspondent Mark Dawson.
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