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Stage 4 TDU 2012: The Pattern Continues

By Simon Cadzow

 “I look down at the (bathroom) scales: I’m not a climber”

Andre Greipel (Lottol-Belisol just after his stage 3 victory)

“My house in Norwood caught fire. My house in Goodwood caught fire. My house in Collingswood caught fire. No more places ending in wood for me: I’m moving to Burnside”

RAA South Australian insurance commercial and also the start of today’s stage

Entree

Norwood. The start for today’s stage is again similar in style to stage 1 Prospect and stage 3 Unley except Norwood is a 2 lane road; the others are one each way. It’s a place full of history and one where I have been involved yearly for over a decade in natural bodybuilding competitions held at the Norwood Town Hall. Many of the competitors over the years do cardio on indoor bikes. Today the bikes are outdoors.

Why I am telling you this? Well it’s because I had to work this morning and so didn’t get to go the stage start as I usually do. That said having now down several at Norwood it would have gone like this:

Lycra clad individuals, consisting of hippies and businessmen alike, arrive at 0600 onwards for the start of the public phase of the ride with many trying to score as many free power bars as they can fit in their jersey courtesy ride-sponsor for the day ahead

With a lot of bleary eyes semi-open, the riders take off sitting somewhere along a spectrum of “yeah I’m pumped” to “why-did-I-do-this-and-train-in-the-middle-of-the-day-when-I’m-actually-starting-the-ride-when-I’m-still-asleep: I am an idiot”

Hours later the rest of the local universe appears and the TDU riders arrive in their vehicles around 1000 for sign-on, final team briefing, crowd interaction and autographs, general haggling between teams in a variety of languages, cramped seating inside vans designed for 5 now holding 7-8 and the most important thing: the sustained use of the revolving-door now installed on the riders WC at the end of the team car line. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Luxury.

Main Course

Stage 4 heads North East travelling 130km from Norwood to Tanunda in the Barossa. The course has 2 sprint points and 2 KOM points. In addition the course starts almost immediately by climbing Anstey Hill, an uncategorised climb in the first ½ hour.

I live down the road from here and have climbed Anstey more times than I can remember and it’s a sneaky start: Essentially there are 3 climbs today. Not categorising it just means the peloton stays together going up it. Sneaky but smart.

With the first sprint at 25km no break could get away.

Sprint 1 Kersbrook (25.3km) Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) Michael Matthews (Rabobank) Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar)

Here’s where the question is asked: Andre stated yesterday he can’t climb, will get hammered on Willunga, so what’s in his head?

Cue the small breakaway, right on time and at KOM 1...

KOM 1 Smith Hill (30km why is the KOM at a “hill” and the next sprint at a “Mount”, is anybody else confused? Is anybody else paying attention? Anyway points 10-6-4-2) Jay McCarthy (Uni SA-Australia) Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskatel-Euskadi) Blei Kadri (AG2R) and then Gatis Smukulis (Katusha)

On to the 2nd sprint...

Sprint 2 Mt Pleasant (51km and for the record I am still at a loss as to why Mt pleasant is called Mt Pleasant. It’s ok but....but then again that’s what pleasant is isn’t it) Ruben Perez Moreno (Euskatel-Euskadi) Blei Kadri (AG2R) Jay McCarthy (Uni SA-Australia)

Now it’s time for itchy feet: 2minutes between the break and the main group. Mengler’s Hill Cat 1 climb is at 107km up the road. 6 GreenEDGE guys are driving it hard (I counted them). Things are about to happen. The break is caught on the approach to the climb...

Dessert

This is massive: the first time the race has looked like, and I say this in all seriousness-ness-ness, the TDF. The peloton attacks the climb, strung out doing such a high speed (are they going for a run up, I mean we’re back to my car attacking a hill here?)

Simply put the climb splits the group with 40 riders getting 30 secs and Andre falling off the lead group. At the top the lead group have just under a minute to Andre with SA’s yes SA’s (I’ll share in some of the glory here) Rohan Dennis (Uni SA-Australia) breaking for the summit and making it first. 

KOM 2 Mengler’s Hill (107.4km with 6 riders getting points due to the new system so here’s the order give them 16-12-8-6-4-2 points respectively) Rohan Dennis (Uni SA-Australia) Javier Moreno (Movistar) Simon Gerrans (GreenEDGE) Tiago Machado (Radioshack-Nissan) Jack Bauer (Garmin-Barracuda) Linus Gerdemann (Radioshack-Nissan)

So massive chase ahead right, wrong. Andre and his group pull up and literally ride in at 25kmph leaving the sprint to be contested by some 40 odd guys. Some sprinters did make it over the top and some guy ‘Oscar Freire’ of Katusha made it to the line first. Apparently he’s pretty good.

So TDU 2012 leaders after stage 4: 

Overall: Martin Kohler (SUI) - BMC Racing Team “This is starting to feel like musical chairs”

Sprints: Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Pro-cycling “I just try every day to move up on GC”* 

KOM: Rohan Dennis (Aus)  Uni SA-Aus “Tomorrow will be all or nothing”

Young gun: Michael Matthews (AUS)  RAB “I’m a little disappointed I’m not leading to tell the truth”

Most Aggressive: Nathan Haas (Aus)  Gar-B “knackered”

Teams: Sky Pro-cycling

*author’s note I picked him to win, see what happens...45 guys are 12 sec of the pace or closer.

Comment of the day

Ok here’s the pattern: Andre/Kohler/Andre/Kohler/.......insert name here.......did you notice?

“I made it up Mongrel Hill”

“Oiigel” – yes it’s his nickname (member of the public doing the Bupa challenge, riding the stage before the peloton referring to Mengler’s Climb)

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“This is not the End. Not even the Beginning of the End. But it is perhaps the End of the Beginning”

“Where I come from you head north it gets colder”

Gert (Team Director Garmin-Barracuda)

“My car is struggling in this wind”

Simon Cadzow (yes that’s the writer but It’s true, I drove part of the course before they started and my car is built like Matt Lloyd)

Entrée

Prospect: The place we start. As a noun it means the possibility or likelihood of some future event occurring...an event like maybe a leader’s jersey?

Geraint Thomas (SKY-Pro-cycling) is happier and even leaner this year than last. Last year he had come here from snow, training on the turbo in his garage. This year, an Olympic year in his hometown, the weather has been better: 

“5˚ and sleet: much better. I’ve been on the road, able to do something this winter”. 

Today however is hot, 37˚ now and going up, and riding straight into a head wind (see above). I ask him who will be on the front for SKY Pro-cycling. He points over his shoulder at a very vague looking Danny Pate, “Him”. I think to myself the former HTC machine is about to lose some weight, not that he needs to.

The riders finish signing on with GreenEDGE getting the treatment from the crowd and the media, this is, after all, history in the making. They then sit inside their cramped team vans or outside under their new team van alfresco-campervan-style veranda on an esky or whatever is at hand. Luxury: The life of a pro-cyclist.

Time to line up: Eddy Merckx is announced to the big crowd, typical of the Santos TDU, the countdown begins (even the teams support staff count-down out loud) and as usual in cycling everyone rides off pretty slowly in a ‘never-have-so-many-done-so-little-with-so-much’ mood: Robbie’s not actually on his bike when the gun goes. 

Still that’s how starts should be, and that Garmin-Barracuda rider who ran into the media guy, he looks ok. 

Main Course

The course takes the riders 149km north from Prospect to the Claire Valley. Along the way there are 2 intermediate sprints and 1 KOM point. A look at the weather: winds 30-40kmph coming from the North, NW and NE with temp at 38˚ and because of the weather drinks are allowed earlier than usual by the race organisers. Nice.

A break gets away with 4 guys getting TV time (Eduard Vorganov (RUS) - Katusha Team, Martin Kohler (SUI) - BMC Racing Team, Marcello Pavarin (ITA) - Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team and Rohan Dennis (AUS - SA) - UniSA Australia) 11:50 ahead of the peloton but to quote Jens Voight (Radioshack-Nissan) and his crystal ball, “The break has no chance of succeeding today. It’s going to be a bunch sprint. 100%”

At 51km in they’re running 32 minute behind schedule. Did I mention the wind? The gap is still 11 minutes: chasing is going to hurt, but for that matter, staying ahead is probably hurting even more.

Sprint 1 Kapunda (74.7km) Martin Kohler (SUI) - BMC Racing Team Rohan Dennis (AUS - SA) - UniSA Australia Marcello Pavarin (ITA) - Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team Eduard Vorganov (RUS) - Katusha Team was relegated to 4th.

That’s halfway and it’s taken 2 ½ hours to get there: good news: the temp has dropped to 36˚: hmmm cool change? Apparently right now it’s 43˚ at the finish line in Claire, can anyone confirm that?

KOM Taylor’s Run (84.2km) Marcello Pavarin (ITA) - Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team Martin Kohler (SUI) - BMC Racing Team Eduard Vorganov (RUS) - Katusha Team.

Latest time check to the break is now 8 minutes. Finish line has cooled to 32˚ and will soon be ready for dessert.

Sprint 2 Riverton (104.5km) Martin Kohler (SUI) - BMC Racing Team Eduard Vorganov (RUS) - Katusha Team Rohan Dennis (AUS - SA) - UniSA Australia

It takes time but with 20km to race the gap has dropped to 2 minutes, one S O’Grady on the front for an hour. 

 Dessert 

Today is a sprinters finish. 600m straight run. We pick it up at 136km done (Race radio has been dropping in and out all day) and the bunch is all together.....now read on... (Insert Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwyn)

“Rohan Dennis, the young man from UniSA Australia: attacks!!! He goes from the bunch again! I love this boy from Adelaide!!! He’s been off the front all day into a head wind and he goes again”. “And yes Phil remember” (Insert Paul Sherwyn’s voice here) “he is a time trial champion. He knows how to hurt”... (Back to Phil) “There’s 13km to go Paul, can the local boy hang on?”...At 137km (back to Phil now) “Now this is a real shame Paul, but it’s what we’ve come to expect. The peloton are hungry now”. (Back to Paul) “Yes the dream is over, the young guy from SA is caught and back in the fold. Still he’s put his name on the race today. This one’s going down to the teams of the sprinters.” 

145km/5km to go all together... 

146km/4km to go all together...

147km/2km to go all together...

 148km/1km to go... CRASH!!!! “There’s a crash inside 1000m, there’s been a crash, rider’s are down, GreenEDGE right in the middle. This is a disaster for the Aussie squad!! Paul It is carnage out there!”.... “Phil, its 30 rider’s worth but remember inside the final 3km everyone receives the same time”...” Well the peloton is torn and bleeding but still going at the front!” (Imagine the volume of voice increasing and the pitch rising)

148.6km/0.2km to go... “And here come the sprinters!! It’s Greipel! The big man from Germany: But here comes Petacchi! Greipel! Petacchi! Greipel!! You know I think Andre got it Paul but that one’s going to a photo...” 

After 4 hours and 33 minutes and 40 seconds stage 1 is done and dusted, the second longest time taken for a stage since 2000. 32.7kmph. All 133 riders made it home but at least 3 riders are off for pre-cautionary x-rays to the RAH and one 70 year old lady is off to Claire hospital. Check out twitter. There’s bound to be plenty.

So TDU 2012 leaders after stage 1: 

Overall: Andre Greipel (GER) Lotto-Belisol on being held up and losing positions because of the crash and then still going on to win “I think I was lucky to win today” (Really? How to demoralise your opponents)

Sprints: Andre Greipel (GER) Lotto-Belisol  

KOM: Marcello Pavarin (ITA) - Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

Young gun: Rohan Dennis (AUS - SA) - UniSA Australia on after dropping to 20kmph “If you look very, very, closely there’s actually a section where the wind is so strong we’re riding backwards”

Most Aggressive: Eduard Vorganov (RUS) - Katusha Team

Teams: SKY-Pro-cycling 

Comment of the Day

It’s a tie firstly Simon Gerrans when asked by someone “How hot was it out there today?” “Well that’s a stupid question to start with...” And finally to return to Geraint looking at the heat and wind, “Are you getting paid enough for this?” After a small laugh, a very serious, very level and above all very believable response comes: “We do it because we love it”.  

Images thanks to Dane Lojek

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By Simon Cadzow

 “Here come the Australians in their canary yellow”

The Twelfth Man (edited for television)

“What is it that makes something official? Something becomes official when it is given credibility by an authority. GreenEDGE Cycling has been given authority by the UCI and in cycling; it doesn’t get bigger than that.”

Simon Cadzow (yes that’s the writer but I thought it sounded so cool I had to use it)

Today the 14th of January 2012, they were unveiled. I was there.

The men and women of GreenEDGE Cycling: the riders; the team managers/directors; the kit, and perhaps most important of all, a certain karaoke video clip.

Right now in Australia they are hot news. At the Santos 2012 Tour Down Under, the first event on the WorldTour Calendar, they begin their story; their official story, now on the international stage.

I like a good story.

Many things have been said about the development of this team. It has spent time in coming; Time well spent. Money invested; Money well spent. The toil of labour; People well invested.

It has been talked about, dreamed about and even in some cases, Mr S O’Grady, perhaps prayed about.

The cynics cry “Why even try?” “It cannot be done” “Waste of time” “will it ever happen?” but those with heart, soul, mind and most importantly strength of will, have known better. 

And now it’s official. 

It is easy to just sit and watch; Harder perhaps to reflect. To think of this moment as it will be when looked upon from some point in the future. When looking back.

Australia. For the first time ever. Has a team of its own on the international elite level circuit.

We as Australians are good at jumping on board successes. We share success amongst ourselves well, claim victories easily and distance ourselves from defeat whilst simultaneously managing to shed blame.

But with GreenEDGE we should jump on board; we should leap with both feet. They call to Australia to do so and with good reason. Not because they are hot news, but rather because of whom they are, what they stand for, where they have already trod and where they seek to tread. 

Every one of those involved are tried and tested and simply put, are people, who we as a nation can be proud of both as cyclists and as people.

 To quote Theodore: 

“It is not the critic who counts; nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows in the end the triumph of great achievement and who at worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat”

GreenEDGE is about to spend itself in a most worthy cause and will dare greatly and WILL know the triumph of great achievement and their place will never be with cold and timid souls knowing neither victory nor defeat. 

It has begun. 

It is official. Get on board. www.greenedgecycling.com

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Firstly, I would like to tell you a bit about my self. My name is Brittany. I live on the Gold Coast and have done all my life. I began cycling about one and a half years ago. After watching my brother, Bryce Lindores, win a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Beijing I decided, if these disabled people can have the drive and dedication to do amazing things, so can I. I started club racing a couple of months after getting on the bike and the rest is history. I am currently also studying a bachelor of Nursing, which keeps me on my toes. After winning the QLD state road race championships in August, 2010 I began riding for the new Virgin Blue RBS Morgan women’s cycling team but unfortunately began this year with rough start. On the 1^st of January I was ready to start the year with a bang and headed down to Geelong to ride Bay Crits.

 

I was all warmed up and ready to go, on the first day, when my team mates and I decided to do 1 lap of the course to get a good feel for it. Next thing I know I woke up in Emergency in the Geelong Hospital with grazes all over my face, knees, should, hip and hands. My first question to Emma Rickards, our DS, was ‘did I race?’ To my disgust she said ‘No’. As I don’t remember anything the story goes something like this. We hit one of the corners pretty quickly to get a good feel for it. Supposedly, the race car was behind us and tooted us to move over so they could get through. Laura Luxford, my team mate who I was sitting behind, braked and my reaction time was just too slow. After locking my front wheel with her back one I went head over the handle bars and was concussed for about 5 minutes.

 

Unfortunately, this meant I missed out on Bay Crits, Nationals and the Tour Down Under Women’s Series because my recovery took about 5 weeks as I was still getting dizzy and fatigued quite easily. Luckily, I am back to normal, or as normal as I was before I hit my head, and back in training. I decided yesterday, at the last minute, that I am going to do the Oceania Road Championships in 2 weeks and then focus on the Mersey Valley Tour in April. This year I am going to focus on the National Road Series and… staying up right.

 

Until next time.

Britt

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Photo courtesy of Timothy Bardsley- Smith

2011Australian Mountain bike Championships

A rewarding result after a tough weekend of racing on the dirt.

 

Leading into the 2011 National MTB Championships I was feeling more nervous than usual. Reclaiming the green & gold jersey was something that was going to mean a lot to me, especially at this point in my career.  After missing out on the 2010 National Championships it allowed me plenty of time to think about this race and what I wanted to achieve.

Having recently won the National MTB series Rounds #2 & #3, I was just beginning to feel the form coming until I experienced a little mishap whist out training locally with some mates. I was knocked out and suffered a few nasty bumps and bruises, but was fortunate enough to recover quickly a few days later once the concussion had worn off. Although the head still hurt I began my preparation for the Otway Odyssey, a race which is 100km and one of my favorite Australian events. I managed to still take the win but the day was certainly a tough one to get through with a couple of riders (Lachlan Norris & Ben Mather) riding strong on the day. After a good massage the legs were back in action and looking forward to the National MTB Championships. 

My first event in the 2011 National MTB Championships was on the Wednesday which saw me join forces with 'Team Adelaide MTB Club' in an attempt to try and knock the 'CORC's' 3 year winning streak in the team relay. After a few problems from myself & young Shorty we fell short but settled for 2nd for the 2nd year in a row. This did however, give me a good opportunity to test out my form and get a better feel for the track.

 

Friday, and race day had arrived . The nerves were very present but the training had been done and the pancakes had been consumed, I was pumped and my Merida 0.9 gave me all the more confidence stepping up to the line primed ready for Adelaide’s conditions. It was time to race! I also had my good friend from Tasmania over to stay, but as he is also my closest competitor it made for an interested preparation with added nerves.  

The race start for me was very ordinary and being unable to get my foot straight into the pedal I found myself chasing the front riders from the get go. After rubbing shoulders and encountering some rough & tumble towards the top of the start climb things got a bit close between myself and Ben Henderson. As a result I received a 30 second penalty and although racing is racing at this level my sincere apology goes out to Ben.

 

By the top of the climb I was second wheel and ready to keep the power on with only one rider left Dan McConnell. I was on a mission and I wanted to break free from the pack. Passing Dan I was on my own and my new “Continental Race Kings” were like glue to the track, opening up a 40second Gap in the first lap and increasing my lead with each lap until I had some problems. Flatting the rear wheel on a rock at around the half way point of the coarse, I tried pumping it up with a Co2 (Air Cartridge) but the split or hole in the tyre was too large for my sealant to mend it. By the time I reached the most technical stage of the track the tire was completely flat forcing me to ride the rim for the last 1km of the climb and then jumping off to run the remainder of the track and back into the finishing straight. After being off the bike and replacing the wheel I was now 20seconds behind Sid Taberlay and a further 30 seconds behind Lachlan Norris, meaning I had to find some seriously smooth and consistent laps from here on in. I had a blinder 4th lap and passed an also unlucky Sid Taberlay flatting his rear wheel, and dug even deeper to close the remainder of the gap to Lachlan Norris who was riding strong. Suddenly I was back in the race with a good chance to take the win. After refocusing and taking back the lead I battled hard to gain some time on Lachlan and was overwhelmed when claiming the victory, finishing 40 seconds ahead of Lachlan Norris and 5min ahead of Aiden Leftman who also rode a strong & consistent race.

 

I can not begin to tell you how much this win means to me. It was not only a bike race I wanted & needed to win for myself, but also as token of thanks & appreciation to my family along with all the other people & sponsors who have stood by me throughout the past few years. This is also a win dedicated to acknowledging that people can and do make mistakes in the course of their life, but that they also have the ability to find a better path if they choose. 

I would like to specifically thank these people & sponsors who took some time out of their day to lend a hand and keep me going through challenging times. I acknowledge that without their help, support & guidance this journey would not have been possible or as rewarding.

 

 

Mother & Father

 

Adrian Laidler                                                 Russell Van Hout

Amber Halliday                                               Sander Gijs

Andrew Kuhl                                                  Sam Whittam

Aunty Deb & Uncle Rob                                 Ria Wyns                                                                         

Ben Bradley                                      

 Sheryle Buckland                                            Bart Brentjens                                                
 Sid Taberlay   

Brian O’Grady                                                 Travis Frisby

Brett Anderson                                                 Travis Rich

Bridget Beal                                                     Terri Rhodes

Cal Britton                                                       Tiff Cromwell                                                 

Chad Gossert                                                   Tim Roe

Chris Stack                                                      Willemyntje                                                               
Craig Felix                                                       WillDicko                                                                                                                                                        ChrisMartin                                                           
Yvo Van Herck                                               ChristosGorge                                                                                                                                           
Claudia Kranen                                                                                                                                   
Daniel Tsiavlis                                                                                                                 

Darren O’Grady

David Stapelton

David Stroop                                                                                                              

Drew Johnson

Fletcha Pearce-Cane

Garron Buckland

Hayley Anderson

Jack Bobridge

Jack Rhodes

Jacqui Ewens

James Hannam           

James Hanus

Jen Sorensen & Wendy Janssens + Emily & Nicholas

Jess Buckland

Jesse Carlson

John & Berneadette Dermondy 

John Piper

Katherine O’Shea

Kristen Lewis

Kristy Bestt

Kelly Libregts

Michael Stallard

Max Stevens

Mick Surace

Pat Jonker

Petra Brentjens

Perron Delacour

Ray Lacis

 

 

Sponsors

Merida Flight Centre Team

South Australian Sport Institute

Shimano

GU Nutrition

Fox Forks

 

Appologies if I’ve forgotten anyone that helped me along the way.

 

Looking forward to up coming racing. 

 

-Oceania Championships

-Terra Australis

-Mont 24hr

-World Cup 2011

 

 

Thanks,

“Wear and tear on a pro cyclists body? Yep we definitely have use by dates.”

Robbie Hunter Radioshack

“My legs hurt”

                                                                                                                                Bert Grabsch HTC

“This isn’t sun block, its war paint, lucky there’s no pressure on me today”

                                                                                                                                Graeme Brown Rabobank

Stage 5 has arrived. I think everyone has been looking forward to this and with Cam Meyer Garmin-Cervelo leap-frogging into the lead yesterday the landscape has changed.

So what exactly happened yesterday? Well a guy who sprints but is not a sprinter has won from a breakaway. He has won by enough seconds to make life hard for anyone chasing him. He leads the peloton by 10 sec to Laurens Ten Dam and 12 sec to Matt Goss.

You get a 10 sec bonus for winning a stage so Goss who is a sprinter and is in the form of his life needs to not only beat Cam Meyer on the road by time but also win the stage just to catch up! Everyone else would have to do more than this...hmmmm

I have it on good authority that Sky is going to attack, try and get Swift up the rankings. Rabobank want to get Michael Matthews up there for the win. Garmin -Cervelo are in the driver’s seat but they can’t just sit back, anything can happen with 2 climbs up Willunga Hill. The crowd want lance to attack. Everyone’s going to be screaming support for Cav just because he’s Cav. (Just quietly, I’m predicting Jack Bobridge will smash it on the second climb)

Once again an 1100am start at McLaren Vale. Wine country and the public are out in force. The drive from the Hilton, the wonderful home base for both the riders and the media, was chock-a-block.

The start is actually on an uphill slope. I notice the riders WC is being used a lot at the back, is everyone nervous?

2 Laps around the beach then up the hill for 2 more. How hard can it be? Pretty hard!!

The peloton roll out and the obligatory break begins...8 riders, none from the major players.

1^st sprint along the ocean at Aldinga beach lap 1 Davide Vigano Leopard Trek  1^st, Sebastian Haedo Saxobank Sungard 2^nd and crit champ John Murphy BMC 3^rd. It’s clear, send guys up the road take up time bonuses, get some points.

2^nd sprint lap 2 Murphy 1^st, Vigano 2^nd and this time Juan Horrach Katusha 3^rd.

And then just before the climbing laps begin, HTC shut things down. 1 min 30 is brought back in a few km and the peloton begin the ascent together.

Old Willunga Hill.

The crowd lining the road makes Checkers Hill yesterday look small. Everyone who could be there was. Walking down from the KOM line to find his spot was a blind man being lead by his lady. This guys living life. The world’s a stage get on it!!

At the top we see the helicopter sitting above us signalling the peloton and Race Director Mike Turtur gets an enormous ovation as he passes. Shortly after a rider turns the final bend...

He’s wearing Uni SA gear. The crowd already screaming go even higher.

Luke Roberts extends his lead in the KOM and crosses the line 1^st on the 1^st lap. Angel Madrazo Movistar 2^nd, Ben Hermans Radioshack 3^rd (He attacked strong up Checkers Hill yesterday) Richie Porte Saxobank Sungard 4^th and Mirko Selvaggi VCD 5^th.

The peloton now stretching out to several groups follow over the top.

2^nd lap things are different.

Ben Hermans 1^st, Riche Porte 2^nd, Jack Bobridge 3^rd (my prediction, c’mon Jack make me look good!) Luke Roberts 4^th and Michael Rogers Sky 5^th.

Now it’s time for the drag race to the finish, and I don’t mean the riders. Jumping into the car Jamie and Roger from ABC radio and me, see if we can race the peloton from the top of the KOM to the line. It’s a gamble but that’s bike racing.

While we descend madly down the Adelaide to Victor Harbour road doing 100kmph the riders are madly descending Penny Hill road also doing 100kmph. It’s touch-and-go between us and them (although they have a smaller carbon footprint, but only just, we’re in a hybrid!!)

A quick turn onto the Aldinga beach road and up to the finish line; security lets us through, make all the equipment portable and jump a barrier and we’re there. The peloton are a few km away.

Some of the guys have gone off the front; they have 13 sec and Jacks there! The last bend before the finishing straight and he slides out. He gets up and rejoins the following group. My prediction has just gone out the window much to our mutual disappointment I’m sure.

Isasi from Euskatel-Euskadi is leading down the straight. And then he gets swallowed up. The finish is going to be tight.

Suddenly Movistar, under the radar for most of the tour, makes its presence known:  Its Francisco Ventoso MOV in a photo finish to Michael Matthews (where did HE come from?) and...Matt Goss! (Where did HE come from? Then again to the average guy in the crowd who’d be holding his position at the finish line for the last 45min, where did we come from?)

“This is a massive victory for me, but more important for the team. We have a new sponsor this year and to win is really important.”  Said Francisco Ventoso today’s stage winner, “The crowds were incredible and the ambience is very special for the cycling.”

Landscape changes again.

“I’ve been in and out of the jersey so if the pattern keeps going the way it has it’s my turn to get back into the jersey tomorrow” Matt Goss

“I’m looking pretty good now with just the 2 sprints tomorrow” Luke Roberts backing himself and rightly so, he’s been the only guy on the podium everyday aside from the girls and Jimmy!!

 So it all comes down to tomorrow.

Mr Meyer...

“Yes, it’s going to come right down to the wire but I have a good team around me and hopefully we can have a good day tomorrow.”

Goss is at 8 seconds. If he wins tomorrow and Cam doesn’t gain any extra time HTC are celebrating. If he doesn’t win Garmin-Cervelo are the happy team. Mathematically there are other options, but this is where your money should go. Meyer has the jersey, Goss has to take it. Goss is the man of the week, Cam has the move of the week.

Cam is in Ochre and Best Young Gun, Matt Goss is Sprint King, Luke Roberts KOM, Richie Porte Most Aggressive and Movistar are the star team. It all comes down to tomorrow.

 “We’ve all got boyfriends. We haven’t really noticed.”

Lauren, Abbey and Amy Podium girls for the 2011 Santos Tour down Under on the subject of who is the hottest guy in the peloton

 

Nice to see that not only are the girls attractive and competent throughout the presentations but they’re also faithful to their men.

Who is hot property right now though is Cam Meyer Garmin-Cervelo winner from a break-away on Stage 4. (But let’s not go straight to the back page shall we?)

The peloton rolled out of Norwood at 1100am and as with previous stages they were right on time.

They followed some 7000+ recreational cyclists who rode various lengths of today’s stage in participation of the Mutual Community Challenge Tour for 2011. More often than not, you won’t find the ‘dream teams’ participating here. Here it’s the ‘Average Joe’s’ of Dodgeball fame. And regardless of how hard or easy it is they love doing it.

The goal is to get to the finish before the pros, and most achieve it. The bunch and as it turned out, the break-away, however, are hard on your heels.

Racing began with a steady travel east out of Adelaide up the picturesque Gorge road running alongside the truly Australian ‘Kangaroo Creek Dam’. This steady climb/rolling hills is consistent and warms the legs until the bunch reached the KOM climb for the day.

The first chance for glory on the agenda.

Checker’s Hill. Just under a km but over 13%.

The crowds were out in force, cheering the police on their mountain bikes who were making regular runs up and down the hill keeping everyone safe, whilst also providing unintentional but good natured entertainment. The feeling on the climb was like one of the European Classics; the last climb of Fleche Wallone perhaps?

 Simone Ponzi  Liquigas-Cannondale and Ben Hermans Radioshack attacked and were first over the top. Jack Bobridge Garmin-Cervelo went over 3^rd, the 2011 Australian Road Champion stretching himself out.

The peloton lengthened perhaps keeping 3 maybe 4 at most wide. Andre Griepel OPL went over attacking in the first 10, maybe thinking of the first sprint and time bonuses, Robbie McEwan Radioshack and Matt Goss HTC following close also thinking the same?

The biggest cheers however just like yesterday were for, drum roll, not Lance sitting comfortably in the middle out for a Sunday stroll; rather the battle scarred Mark Cavendish HTC.

Next up; Gumeracha, the first intermediate sprint, here was where time bonuses could be gained.

Robbie McEwan 1^st, Matt Goss 2^nd and ....let me check this, yep, Spain's Francisco Ventoso Movistar  3^rd.

Smart racing, only 2 sec separates Matt and Robbie now for the Ochre jersey.

Then Garmin-Cervelo (Cam Meyer and Matt Wilson) along with some other guys....put their plan into action: 2 guys in the break. (Prior to the KOM, breaks had tried repeatedly to get away but no-one was listening and with the 1^st sprint so close following the KOM, no-one could get away – but now things were a-changing)

The telling move of the day.

Sprint number 2: Balhannah – this definitely sounds like a Viking hall of the dead where grizzled warriors sing songs and are waited on by Valkyries

De Gent VCD 1^st, Kadri AG2R 2^nd and Meyer 3^rd. Time bonuses all valuable as well as UCI points.

The lead stretched out. 2 minutes 30 the break working together despite Kadri dropping back to the peloton.

The approach to Strathalbyn is a twisting one. It’s downhill and lends itself to the break. HTC, OPL and Radioshack started a concentrated chase although out on the road the breakaway were starting to get smart.

“We thought 'the peloton can bring it back whenever they want' so we waited until about 20-30km to go and then we really hit the gas. And when we went, we went strong.” Cam Meyer

At 3km to go the break still had 30 sec. The crowd was sensing they were going to hang on. People knew Cam was in the break, he was an Aussie. People knew HE could do it. The crowd willed it. More importantly Cam willed it.

 It’s amazing the amount of noise a 10yr old kid can generate bashing their hands on a piece of cardboard advertising strung out on a metallic frame barricade.

Cam Meyer put his head down and the noise disappeared. He looked up, raised his fist and something that should not have happened, happened. He beat the peloton to the line.

He beat them enough to be in Ochre. The crowd went nuts.

So how’s it feel to win, to be in the lead?

“I’m thrilled”...” Matt Wilson in the break with me was just unbelievable, I mean I wouldn't have stayed away without him, so it was just the perfect ride and I'm very happy to take my first Pro Tour (World Tour) victory." The win adds to an already impressive resume with Meyer last year awarded the Sir Hubert Opperman Medal when he was named the Australian Cyclist of the Year after claiming three world and three Commonwealth Games gold medals on the track and the Australian time trial crown on the road. He successfully defended the time trial crown earlier this month.

How’s it feel not to be?

Disappointed...check Andre yesterday.

"I don't think we had enough support from the other teams, as we're not the only ones who have goals for the overall, but, unfortunately today we lost time to some of those guys at the front and lost the jersey," said Goss who also surrendered the lead in the young riders classification.

So where are things for tomorrow...well; Cam is in Ochre and Best young rider, Thomas De Gent holds most aggressive and Jayco Sprints, Luke Roberts holds the Skoda KOM and guess-who is the best team: Garmin-Cervelo.

In the words of Jack Bobridge Garmin-Cervelo, “Moving from car 19 to number 1 is pretty fantastic, eh.”

And in case anyone thinks this week has been a cake walk, Bert Grabsch HTC says his legs are tired.

Tomorrow goes to Willunga for Stage 5. It’s climb time.

 10 October 2010

Australian Lauren Reynolds has claimed second place in the final round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup series in Frejus in the south of France.

The 19-year-old West Australian finished just behind New Zealand's Sarah Walker with 2009 Junior World Champion Mariana Pajon of Colombia third. Queensland's Rachel Bracken, 19, was seventh in the final.

"Lauren got herself into good position from the start and had the speed to stay up with Walker," said Head Coach Wade Bootes adding the qualification round presented some challenges. "Qualifying was really windy for some of the riders and it screwed up both Lauren's and Rachel's time trial laps and caused all sorts of weird results."

Canberra's Caroline Buchanan had qualified second fastest but was knocked out in the semi-final round.

"In the third race of the motos someone crashed onto her back wheel and brought her down and she was a bit sore," said Head Coach Wade Bootes. "We had to strap her shoulder up for the semis but she struggled and didn't get though."

Despite missing out on the final her qualifying performance gave her enough points to finish second overall in the series with 512 points, 167 points behind French rider Laetitia le Corguillé.

In the men's final reigning Olympic and World Champion Maris Strombergs proved too strong for his rivals powering down the start hill in front of thousands of fans and dominating the race through to the finish. Second was Marc Willers from New Zealand and third American Connor Fields.

The victory also gave Strombergs the 2010 Supercross World Cup title. South Australia's Sam Willoughby, 19, went into the final round as the defending series champion and the only rider within striking distance of Strombergs but in order to win the 2010 series crown the two time junior world champion had to finish two places ahead of his rival. Instead he finished behind the Latvian in fourth place to finish the series ranked second overall.

Fellow South Australian Brian Kirkham, 24, also qualified for the final where he finished in seventh place.

"Definitely we're getting more of the outcomes we deserve and out of seven riders we had four in the final and one on the podium but we can do better," said Bootes. "Sam, Brian and Luke (Madill) rode really well but in the quarter final Luke and Sam crashed and Sam ran across the finish line to qualify but Luke didn't make it.

"It was a little comical but disappointing for Luke who had the speed to make the final," said Bootes. "Brian posted the second fastest lap of the day and was in good form but in the final he and Sam bumped each other a bit in the second corner which stopped Brian's run."

After the competition the riders attended the 2010 BMX Supercross Awards where Willoughby and Buchanan won the male and female People's Choice award as the most popular riders of the year.

In a close result Buchanan collected 30% of the votes to clinch the award while in the men's online poll Willoughby was a clear winner attracting 45% of the total votes.

Willoughby will now head to the Las Vegas to race the ABA series while the rest of the High Performance squad will race in Rotorua, New Zealand at the end of the month in the opening two rounds of the UCI Continental Ranking Series.

BMX world ranking points will accumulate up to May 2012 and determine the number of riders each nation qualifies for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.