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Stage 1 - January 15: Glenelg street race, 47km

Complete live report

Start time: 19:30
Finish time: 20:40

Welcome to the live coverage of stage one of the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, 25 laps of a 1.88 kilometre street circuit in the seaside suburb of Glenelg, Adelaide. The course, as always, favours the sprinters in this race, and that means Robbie McEwen (Lotto), Jans Koerts (Domo-Farm Frites), Jaan Kirsipuu (Ag2r) and of course, Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole).

The winner of the stage will be awarded the race's first yellow jersey, signifying the leader of the tour. However, in the stages to come it's expected that things will change as the race heads into the hills around Adelaide.

The atmosphere some 15 minutes before the start is buzzing, with a large crowd lining the streets and enjoying the evening sun.

19:34 - Lap 2

And they're off! The first lap sees the 96 riders in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under stretch out as many want to be at the front to avoid any early crashes. One rider, David Pell (United Water), has attacked right from the gun, and he establishes a small gap. Gene Bates and Robbie McEwen chase him down, and there are three riders away.

There's a fall involving a couple of cyclists at the end of the second lap, but this does not affect the breakaway, which includes Australian champion Robbie McEwen.

19:38 - Lap 3

The break is caught at the start of the third lap as the pace picks up. Obviously, McEwen is out to keep his nose in front for the majority of the race. The same can't be said for US Pro champ Fred Rodriguez (Domo-Farm Frites) who is sitting in last wheel as the peloton strings out.

19:42 - Lap 4

A strong counter-attack sees Jens Heppner (Telekom), Andrea Tafi (Mapei Quick Step) and Russell Van Hout (UniSA) speed off the front of the fast moving bunch. They have a small gap but look to be serious.

19:47 - Lap 6

The trio is caught and there's an attack now from Dutch champion Jans Koerts. He is joined by South Australian Corey Sweet, as Robbie McEwen accelerates after them. Belgian champion Ludovic Cappelle (Ag2r) is the first rider dropped off the back.

19:51 - Lap 8

McEwen, Koerts and Sweet have about 10 seconds lead on the eighth lap, and are working well together. However, the bunch will certainly not let these two sprinters have an easy day of it, and there are counter-attacks coming now.

Jans Koerts takes out the first sprint at the end of Lap 8.

19:58 - Lap 11

The break now has 14 seconds on an eight man chasing group which contains Daniele Nardello (Mapei), O'Grady, Fabio Sacchi (Saeco), Mikel Astarloza (AG2r-Prevoyance) and Jens Heppner (Telekom), Frederick Guesdon (La Française Des Jeux). Henk Vogels (AIS) is trying to get across.

Fred Rodriguez has eased off and is now cruising around the course.

20:02 - Lap 13

The chasing group has grown to 10 men: Daniele Nardello (Mapei Quick Step), Julian Dean (CSC - Tiscali), Fabio Sacchi (Saeco), Frederick Guesdon (La Française Des Jeux), Jens Heppner (Telekom), Alexandre Botcharov (AG2r-Prevoyance), Glenn d'Hollander (Lotto Adecco), Stuart O'Grady (Crédit Agricole), Jens Heppner (Telekom) and Max Van Heeswijk (Domo Farm Frites).

They are gaining on the leading trio, while the main bunch is 40 seconds behind.

20:10 - Lap 16

The gap between McEwen, Koerts and Sweet to the 10 chasers is still 18 seconds. With 10 laps to go, time is starting to run out. O'Grady is doing a lot of work to try and bring them back.

The peloton will not rejoin the front riders now, as they are too far behind.

20:15 - Lap 18

It looks as though the stage win will be fought out between Robbie McEwen, Jans Koerts and Corey Sweet, who are getting close to lapping the bunch. McEwen is the favourite, but Koerts may give him a run for his money...

20:18 - Lap 19

Koerts takes the second sprint, and therefore is leading the sprinter's competition. The breakaway reach the tail end of the peloton and start to make their way through. Servais Knaven (Domo) lends a hand.

20:22 - Lap 21

Lotto is working for McEwen at the front, but the bunch will be pulled out in the next lap. Then the remaining three riders will fight it out for the stage honours. The 10 men chasing are making no impact.

20:24 - Lap 22

Now it's McEwen, Koerts and Sweet riding alone again as the bunch sits up and allows the race to finish. McEwen is certainly looking like a winner. Perhaps Sweet could upset the cart?

20:27 - Last Lap

They're into the final lap as Corey Sweet attacks but is caught. Koerts attacks, but is covered by the other two.

Koerts leads it out but Robbie is too strong and easily wins the stage. Corey Sweet is second.

Max Van Heeswijk (Domo) takes fourth place, some 30 seconds behind.

Results

1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto Adecco                  59.14
2 Corey Sweet (Aus) UniSA 
3 Jans Koerts (Ned) Domo-Farm Frites 
4 Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) Domo Farm Frites 
5 Glenn d'Hollander (Bel) Lotto Adecco 
6 Julian Dean (NZl) CSC - Tiscali 
7 Henk Vogels (Aus) Australian Institute Of Sport 
8 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) AG2r-Prevoyance 
9 Fabio Sacchi (Ita) Saeco 
10 Frederick Guesdon (Fra) La Française Des Jeux 
11 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Mapei Quick Step 
12 Jens Heppner (Ger) Telekom 
13 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Crédit Agricole 
14 Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water 
  
Sprint classification
  
1 Jans Koerts (Ned) Domo-Farm Frites 
  
King of the Mountains classification
  
1 Robert Tighello (Aus) Australian Institute of Sport  

*Note: from last year

Most Aggressive rider
  
1 Corey Sweet (Aus) UniSA 
  
Best young rider 
  
1 Dave McPartland (Aus) United Water 

Results and report

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