Stage 6 Tour Down Under 2013. Greipel! Again!

Another gorgeous day in Adelaide greeted the riders today for the last stage of this year's Tour Down Under. Blue skies, sunshine and a light wind made for great riding and spectator conditions.

We managed to score a position at around the 90m mark with a great view of the riders heading around the corner into the straight and then up onto the finish line in King William Street.

This is a great stage for getting a good close up of the riders as they head onto the circuit an hour or so before the race to warm up and have a chat. The atmosphere is always exciting and always offers fabulous opportunities for close up photo's of the riders.

I managed to have a little chat with the one and only Rupert Guinness (SMH sports journalist) looking bright as always and he was very gracious to have a little picture with me. Thanks Rupert!

(I'll post some photo's including that one next week in a wrap up post of the Tour.)

But back to the race.

As always a few riders broke away early, including the one and only Jens Voigt. But the peloton never let them far from their sights and by the last couple of laps they were all back together. Lotto were setting up for yet another picture perfect sprint for Andre Greipel.

As the riders rounded the corner for the straight Lotto was in great position with Greipel sitting in about third wheel ready to pounce when none other than Mark Renshaw, now riding for Team Blanco decided to throw a little spanner in the works, weaving through and jumping them.

Greipel had to go. Renshaw held on, for a few moments... but in the end Greipel's power and top end speed was too much and he crossed the line for yet another victory. This one marks his 100th career victory, 14 TDU stage wins and his third for this year's race. There's some stats for you.

What an exciting sprinter he is to watch in the flesh!

Renshaw did hold on for second with Boasson Hagen in third.

Overall Team Blanco was able to successfully defend Tom-Jelte Slagter's lead in the overall classification, no doubt a proud moment for young 'TJ'.

I will do a wrap up post next week but for now am just enjoying my last night in Adelaide for another year. What a fabulous city and fantastic race! We shall be back again next year, for sure.

(And for those of you who may be interested we did have a rematch of the table tennis tonight. And in a very tight encounter with the score see-sawing for much of the match I can report I came out on top. Sweet, sweet victory.)

Stage 5 Tour Down Under 2013 - Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

You couldn't have scripted a better outcome for today's 5th stage of the Tour Down Under - if you were an Aussie that is!

We headed up early in the crisp morning air and arrived on top of the hill around 9:30am to find our spot. 25 meter mark of the finish line, and right in front of the big screen. Perfect! It really is a great day on top of the hill. You get to watch the race all day on the big screen and then of course see the riders as they make their way up for the first time and then the final climb to the line. And there is food, coffee, ice-cream, toilets - everything you need to keep the little tackers happy!


And the Queen stage where the riders tackle Old Willunga Hill including a hill top finish delievered everything and a little bit more. There were break aways, attacks and then just when you thought the break may just hold on the big boys pulled out all stops and the excitement began.

As the day went on the crowd swelled in anticipation for the riders and on the first lap up the hill the atmosphere was electric. But it was the final burst to the finish line that sent the crowd into a frenzy!

Simon Gerrans, as Aussie as you get, jumped from the peloton and stormed towards the line. It was a battle between himself and young dutch superstar (who?) Tom-Jelte Slagter but Gerrans had more fight to get over the line in first place with a tremendous roar from the crowd especially those in Gerry Ryan's & Orica Green-Edge's corporate grandstand overlooking the finish line.

Gerrans winning on Australia day was our version of a French man winning on Bastille Day during the Tour de France. Epic!

And let's not forget Slagter's effort in ripping the Ochre Jersey right of Geraint Thomas' back. Team Sky tried everything to protect the jersey but it was to no avail. This young dutch kid has gone from who? to wow! I look forward to watching him in action over the next few years. I think he's something special.

Again, I don't have any photo's to show just yet. But as soon as I rectify my technical issues I will post them.

Tomorrow is the final stage of this year's TDU. A mere formality for Slagter which will see his Team Blanco simply protect him for the entirety of the race keeping him out of any trouble so he can take the podium. As for the sprint, well that's most likely a formality too. Can anyone beat Greipel? I'm really don't think so! Go Greipel!

Stage 4 Tour Down Under 2013. Greipel!

I have to be honest, blunt even. The Bupa Challenge ride stage is not my favourite. Too many amateur cyclists. I know it is for a good cause and of course it is worth supporting but getting stuck behind throngs of amateurs on the road and off the road trying to walk in cleats and manage bikes through large crowds is not my favourite thing. Shame on me.

I must say though, I was very impressed with Tununda housing all of the Bupa riders on the local oval. They had loads of space, food and drink resources and even a big screen, so the course wasn't overloaded!

But enough of me. Back to the race.

Seeing young South Aussie Damian Howson out on the break with world champ Philippe Gilbert was certainly a highlight and their efforts were rewarded - the first ever dual recipients of the most combative jersey at the end of the stage.

Some more history was made on today's forth stage with my favourite current sprinter overtaking my favourite all time sprinter in stage wins at the Tour Down Under. Yes, Andre Greipel won yet again in another gutsy effort securing his sprinting domination. I'm sure Robbie (McEwen) would have been smiling, even with his record falling.

I would love to share some pictures with you today, including some awesome ones of Greipel sprinting to the line, the broken and battered riders limping in after the crash in the final kilometer and the riders receiving their jerseys at the presentation. But for some reason my good old iPhone won't download the photo's.

So, we move on to good old Willunga Hill tomorrow on Australia Day. We will be heading out early to try and secure a great spot on the hill! With Geraint Thomas still narrowly holding onto the race lead it's going to be a cracker!

Stage 3 Tour Down Under 2013. Slagter!

Who? Yes that was my question when Tom-Jette Slagter crossed the line after a gallant sprint towards the line at today's stage from Mt. Barker to Stirling. Slagter is the dutch rider currently sporting the young rider's jersey for Team Blanco, a name that we are sure to hear more of. He held off a late charge from Australia's Matt Goss, Ocre Jersey and TDU leader Geraint Thomas and World Champ Philippe Gilbert.

I have to say the Stirling stage is one of my favourites. It is such a pretty little town and they put on a fabulous party for the race with lots of food stalls in a picturesque setting. We arrived early around 9am to get the shady spot at the 25m mark and it was well worth the early trek enjoying shade all day long. And with the riders passing by six times it was the perfect spot.


With Sky doing their job to keep Geraint in the leader's jersey there's no doubt it will be on for Saturday's climb up Willunga Hill, add in the fact that an Aussie will be wanting to take the win on Australia Day - that's going to be an exciting and most likely decisive one as usual.

Tomorrow is the Bupa Challenge ride which sees over 6,000 amateur cyclists take the road over various distances to ride the course like the pros. Well, maybe not like the pro's but at least on the same course as the pro's.

We will head out to Tununda to see the finish which will be another change for The Gorilla - Andre Greipel to take another sprint finish.

Until then here are some pics from today's stage...

Stage 2 Tour Down Under 2013. Thomas!

The inclusion of the infamous local climb of Corkscrew Road certainly added some spice and flavour to the Stage 2 of the Tour Down Under. I'm not sure how many punters would have selected Gerrant Thomas to win the stage at the start of the day, but the Brit dug deep to ride the climb of his life and to survive right through to Rostrevor.

We spent the morning down at Glenelg browsing the local shops and having some fresh local fish and chips on the foreshore to fill our tummies before heading off to Rostrever to see the finish.

Ultimately we would have loved to be up on Corkscrew Road but with four kids in tow the cons outweighed the pros, so it was to the finish we headed.

We arrived with about half an hour to go, set up at the 140m mark and wandered down to the big screen to watch the climb. The atmosphere was fantastic and once again Adelaide turned on spectacular weather. After the climb we had a few minutes to get back to the kids and stick our heads over the fence and peer down the long stretch of the finishing straight. It is one of my favourite sights seeing the riders enter the home stretch and today didn't disappoint with Gerrant pushing through sprinting to the line for his well earned win.

We heard the news of a crash in the main peloton and saw the remnants when a few scathed and dirty riders limped over the finish line.

The riders will need a good rest tonight as tomorrow's stage from Unley to Stirling is another tough one and with a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius predicted the heat will surely be on.

A morning at Glenelg

The locals at Glenelg

The end of the long finishing straight awaiting the riders

Watching Corkscrew climb on the big screen

Gerrant makes his move

And flies past us towards the line, head down, bum up!

The end is in sight for the others

World Champ Philippe Gilbert second left

Thank God it's over!

Stage 1 Tour Down Under 2013.Greipel!

It was planned and executed to perfection, and Andre Greipel finished it off brilliantly with another powerful sprint to the line taking Stage 1 of the Santos Tour Down Under.

The stage through the picturesque Adelaide Hills from Prospect to Lobethal was an exciting one. Young Uni SA rider Jordan Kerby broke away early to lead for over 100km of the race including through the first passing of the finish line. Then the attacks started with Jerome Pineau heading away followed closely by current world champion Philippe Gilbert. However once the final kilometers closed in the teams organised themselves and the peloton caught the leaders ready for a final bunch sprint.

It would be a simple, text book lead out by Lotto-Belisol that delivered Greipel to the line, for his 12th stage win at the Tour Down Under, equaling our own Robbie McEwen's record.

Personally I love to see Greipel winning. When he is let loose with the finish line in site his strength and power is remarkable, and very hard to beat. He is a colourful and genuine character and a favourite here Down Under.

Here are a few snap shots of stage 1.

Greipel!!!!!

 

 

 

Tomorrow Stage 2 takes us from Mt. Barker through to Rostrevor which will see the riders tackle one of Adelaide's steepest hill - Corkscrew Road. It will be the first time the steep ascent has been included in the Tour Down Under and will certainly throw a few spanners in the cogs for some of the riders!

Sightseeing before the TDU begins

Today with no cycling we spent the day exploring Hahndorf, did some shopping and ended up at the beautiful beach in Glenelg. A great day under the beautiful, blue Adelaide sky.

Hahndorf Sweet Shop

German Platter that my hubbie and his mate finished off

My lunch at Hahndorf Inn

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the beach at Glenelg

We ended the day with a BBQ at our holiday units where I managed a come behind table tennis win over our travelling companion. It was a sweet victory, but no doubt he will be looking for revenge in the days to come!

And so tomorrow brings the first stage of the 2013 from Prospect to Lobethal.We will be at the finish line, just not sure who we will see cross the line first!

Tour Down Under Classic 2013

image from here

Andre Greipel gave us a magical start to Tour Down Under proceedings with a powerful win in the Tour Down Under Classic tonight on the streets of Adelaide.

Really, I didn't know where to look.

At Jens Voigt powering away for half of the race out in front?

At Robbie McEwen seated directly opposite me in the Grand Stand?

Or at Andre Greipel thundering towards the finish line after a perfect lead out from his Lotto Belisol train?

Awesomeness. All round.

Loving being back in Adelaide! Loving the fact that Andre is in winning form and Simon Gerrans looks fit and ready to defend his 2012 TDU title.

Tomorrow we are planning to enjoy a touch of shopping, lunch at beautiful Hahndorf and then the beaches of Glenelg before heading off on Tuesday to stage one of the race from Prospect to Lobethal. 

Tour Down Under Time!

In better news (than yesterday), I have arrived in beautiful Adelaide for the Tour Down Under.

We packed the car with a chairs, cooler bags, hats, luggage and four kids and drove the ten hours yesterday arriving just in time for a quick dinner and to sit down and watch the tennis (Go Fed!). And today we plan on filling in the day beaching and shopping before heading down to the Classic in the East End of Adelaide.

It won't feel quite the same not being able to cheer Robbie (McEwen) on in the race he really made his own, but nevertheless will still hopefully be an exciting event and I can't wait!

Bring it on Adelaide!

The Lance Confession - My View

image from here

So Lance has had a sit down with Oprah (took my advice from here obviously) and really there were no shocking revelations.

He was calm, composed, even a touch arrogant only displaying any remorseful emotion when it came to the affect on his family. Yes, Lance is human.

So what now?

For Lance I don't think much will change. His long time supporters will still remember the remarkable wins, drugs or no drugs. And his enemies will still call him an arrogant, selfish, cheat. In that respect, not much will change.

What may or may not have been surprising was that Lance didn't name names which somewhat humoured me when reading headlines before the release of the interview such as 'Lance will bring them down with him'. I'm in two minds as to whether he should have named names.

Firstly, to name names would expose anyone who is still involved in cycling at the highest levels and force them to be removed, that is a good thing. On the other hand, I don't know if it is really Lance's job to do so. Certainly if asked under oath it is, but Oprah, as high and mighty as she is, isn't quite a court of law. I somehow feel that those involved should feel the guilt as Lance has, and come forward themselves. Just my opinion. But it isn't over, in fact this is just the beginning.

What do I think of Lance now?

I'm saddened it is true. Without a confession there was still hope, but I can't say I was shocked or surprised. We all wanted to believe the fairy tale, to have a hero, someone inspiring and amazing, then to find out your hero is a cheat, is devastating to say the least. Still I do think he is an outstanding athlete mentally and physically, as they say, you can't turn a donkey into a thoroughbred. It is just a shame that now he will never be able to prove it, that chance passed long ago. I still believe his intentions with LiveSTRONG were honourable and the inspiration (although we now know to be false) he gave to many Cancer sufferers can't be denied. The LiveStrong organisation will continue on with its good work and I will continue to support them.

There needs to be change

There is no denying that the introduction of the biological passport and more regimented drug testing has brought the sport along way in the fight against doping. But there still needs to be change. Cycling is one of the toughest sports to compete in. Sure they look very pretty in their colourful lycra pedaling along through beautiful countryside and to a non-cycling fan that may be the picture painted. But the true story is the physical and mental effort it takes to ride a couple of hundred kilometers up a mountain each day virtually for three weeks, is far from easy. For some it is impossible. The dedication, determination and training it takes to reach peak fitness at the correct time and then maintain that level as you verge on physical exhaustion with your immune system teetering over the edge is immense. Each rider is looking for an edge. It is no wonder they sometimes look in the wrong places.

However, there is no excuse for cheating and I think the peloton has learned this and is heading in the right direction. There will always be cheats, that is unfortunately a flaw in human nature, but perhaps if there were some minor changes it would reduce pressure that is placed upon the riders.

One answer that I have always beleived, in particular for The Tour de France is that some of the stages need to be shortened. It is fine to race a one day classic over 250+kms, but to do this day after day for close to three weeks?

Perhaps the answers are not cut and dry, but small changes can be implemented. Pro-cyclists aren't super heroes. We once thought Lance was, it is proven he wasn't. They are simply human beings, as talented as they are, they are still only human.

And so...

And so the air has been cleared, although questions still remain, and many more now arise. The saga will continue and hopefully, the sport can move on. The current riders can learn from their predecessors mistakes and cycling can recover.

As for Lance, yes he is a cheat. Yes he was involved in a sophisticated and well thought out doping program. Yes he was a liar, a bully and had terrible judgement. Like him or hate him though, he isn't a murderer, he was the hunted and now they have their scalp, rightfully so. But he has to live with himself for the rest of his life. He has to look his children in the eyes and regain their trust. He has to live with the labels, however much self-induced and he will be forever known as a cheat.

Personally, I would like to see his life ban from sport lifted. Maybe not from cycling. However I would like to see him compete in some capacity in triathlon giving himself the opportunity to prove he can challenge clean. But that's just me. Even if he won clean, I'm not sure the majority wouldn't doubt him, but at least he could prove to himself. And sometimes that's all that matters in the end.

What are your thoughts on the aftermath of the Lance interview?

Durbridge Double

Luke Durbridge will sport the Australian jersey in not one but two disciplines in Europe this year after taking out the double of Time Trial and Road Race in the National Championships which wrapped up today in Ballarat.

With a large selection of Green Edge riders represented in the peloton it was hardly any surprise they were able to manage getting one of their own across for line honours. And although it wasn't one of the more favoured picks of Gerrans or Clarke, Luke Durbridge is deserving and popular winner.

Earlier in the week Durbridge defended his Time Trial title with a blistering performance and today put in another stellar effort to take out the Elite Road Race, ultimately leading the race for all but from the word go.

Durbridge seemed to own the race, taking control of the break and putting the hammer down to whittle the break down to just himself and Bernie Sulzberger. Knowing that he would be second best should the it come down to a sprint between the two Durbo turned on the turbo (sorry, couldn't resist) to shake Sulzberger which he managed to do on the penultimate lap. It was then a matter of transforming back into time trial mode to the finish line.

As he rode into the final straight towards the finish he had time to soak in the moment and savour the cheers from the huge crowd who had turned out in droves to support the race.

Durbridge will proudly wear both the national time trial and road champion jerseys in Europe this year and hopefully they will inspire him to a great year ahead.

Congrats Durbo! Any congrats to Buninyong and Ballarat for again putting on a fantastic championships!

2013: A big year for cycling

image courtesy of here

We've welcomed in the New Year and said goodbye to the old and for many cycling fans it is a huge relief to say goodbye to 2012.

Unfortunately for cycling, 2012, despite a great year of racing, will go down as a very dark year indeed. Of course I speak of the demise of the once great Lance Armstrong.

I'm still deeply affected by the events that unfolded last year. Torn between feelings of despair and disbelief, shame and humiliation. I'm sitting on the fence witnessing a once hero hunted, victimised and torn to shreds, and on the other hand feelings of justification weigh on the other end of the see-saw in my mind. There is no room for drugs in sport, that I am certain of. But I am also certain that there are heroes and great human beings who with or without artificial assistance will always be out of their competitors leagues. As I said, torn.

No doubt the fall out from the Lance Armstrong saga will continue to develop and unfold during 2013, but ultimately I am looking forward, which is something all cycling fans should do.

The summer of cycling and start to the 2013 cycling calendar has begun here in Australia with already the Bay Crits having taken place, the Jayco Herald Sun Tour currently underway and the National Road Championships next on the agenda. And then the big one - the Tour Down Under.

My first taste to savour will be when we travel to Buninyong for the National Road Race which is going to be a very exciting event indeed. Then we head to maginicient Adelaide and surrounds for our 9th consecutive trip to the Tour Down Under. I am hopeful that the mood at both will be as exciting as ever, and going by crowd numbers during stifling heat at the Sun Tour it should be.

So here's to 2013, may it hold more ups than downs and begin a momentum of pedals turning in unison for the future of cycling.

Are you heading out to any of the summer cycling in coming weeks?