Spoke 'n Word Edition #5

Launceston Country Club Resort ITT - March 3

530 km & Just 1 Second Separates 1st & 2nd

What a tremendous finish to a tremendous race and everyone concerned should be absolutely proud of their efforts in making it so. After 530 km over six stages and five days and following some majestic Tasmanian scenery, the result came right down to the wire with just one second separating Rio Coffee SA teammates Luke Roberts (#69) and Russell Van Hout (#66).

Full credit to Roberts and Van Hout as they were certainly the most consistent riders of the tour. Of the six stages, Roberts was credited with three second placings, a third, a fifth and a bunch finish (criterium).

Van Hout finished the tour as he started - by winning a stage. Van Hout won the Hobart to Kingston stage on Day 1 and then completed his trip around the Apple Isle by winning the individual time trial in Launceston.

History Rectified

In 1979 - Wayne Roberts finished second in the Tour of Tasmania, not far behind John Trevorrow. 23-years later Luke Roberts - Wayne's son - has rectified that, by winning the Tour of Tasmania - promoted and directed by the same John Trevorrow.

While Luke's Dad was back in South Australia, his Mum was trackside to witness his biggest ever road win. Luke has a good record in Tasmania, having won the 1995 Latrobe Wheel as a teenager.

Gala Dinner

The late Jack Kinnane was a former promoter of the Tour of Tasmania, after having competed in it as well in the 1950s. The medals were presented by Jack's daughter, Mrs Jacqueline Shearer and the recipients in attendance included Don Wilson (1966), Kevin Morgan (1968), Kerry Wood (1969), Michael Wilson (1978), John Trevorrow (1979), Grant Rice (1991), Alan Iacuone (1997) and Glen Chadwick (2000).

Each of the riders were presented to the crowd and asked to recall their memories of their tour wins. As the night wore on, the stories got better - although the truth looked as though it had been left behind somewhere.

Also at the dinner, Chief Commissaire for the tour Russell Miller added another prestigious item to his collection of cycling memorabilia when he bought - by auction - a 2001 Stuart O'Grady autographed yellow jersey from the Tour de France.

Almost A Near Fatal On Tour

On Saturday (Day 4) the tour suffered a demoralising loss when one of the race's real identities broke down and almost died. This particular identity has been on eight previous Tours of Tasmania and has been a backdrop to Phil Liggett interviews, team photographs and looked after some of the more financially challenged teams that have competed. Throughout the years she has been walked on, jumped on, had oil, coke, Gatorade and other substances spilled on her.

She has also spent half her life in the gutter or the gravel. She has even had signage pinned to her flanks only the later quite unceremoniously removed like a giant-sized bikini wax.

The she we are referring to is the 1971 Valiant, which this week doubled as the Norco Appleby team car. As the tour headed into Latrobe, "Norco" lost its regulator and limped into the gutter. Thankfully there was some handy mechanics who came to the rescue and "Norco" lives again - but for how long, nobody knows.

The Final Word From John

Tour Director John Trevorrow was more than pleased with the conduct of the 2002 Skilled Tour of Tasmania. "There were a few little hiccups along the way, but certainly nothing we cannot rectify for next year," John said.

"On the whole, the tour was a big success and I hope the Tasmanian public enjoyed the action." At the time of writing, John was unable to confirm what dateline the 2003 Tour of Tasmania would be held.