News

Evans wins
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

Sunday, January 20

• McEwen the champion sprinter, and in good form for Europe - Robbie McEwen has started off his season in fine style, securing four stage wins in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under and in the process winning the SA Lotteries Sprint Jersey. He tell Cyclingnews about his plans for Europe.
• Mapei takes teams prize - Mapei Quick-Step won the Most Successful Team award on the final day of the 2002 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under today, delighting director Roberto Damiani, who said he couldn't have been more pleased with its performance during the six-day event and would be back for another go next year.
• McPartland keeps U23 crown for United Water - David McPartland finished the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under in 19th place on GC, less than 13 minutes behind, but in front of many big names with vastly greater experience.
• Cadel Evans winds up and winds down - Mapei-Quick Step's Cadel Evans became the third Australian to win a stage in the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under when he crossed the line in Tanunda 16 seconds ahead of Michael Rogers yesterday. Evans was clearly delighted with his win, giving his trademark bent arm MTB World Cup salute.
• An interview with Brad Davidson - It's every young rider's ambition; the stuff of which dreams are made. One minute you are racing with your cycling club at home in Australia, then next (or so it seems), you have a lucrative contract with one of the best professional cycling teams in the world.
• A team car ride with Team Francaise Des Jeux - "Aqua, s'il vous plait!" Number 61 in the 2002 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, Bradley McGee, calls out, raises his arm above his head and casts a pleading look at the Francaise Des Jeux team car, following 50 metres behind the bunch.

Saturday January 19

• Anyone got a spare C40? - Adam Pyke came to the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under to watch the cycling, but ended up saving the day for the new leader of the race on general classification
• Sunderland update: some better news - Injured Tour Down Under rider Scott Sunderland limped into the press centre this afternoon on crutches and made an announcement that made journalists cheer.
• Brett Aitken, PT - What do professional athletes do for jobs after they stop competing at the highest levels? Brett Aitken isn't planning to retire just yet, but he's already thinking ahead.

Scott Sunderland
Photo: © Tom Balks/CN

Friday January 18

• Sunderland out for 3 months after stage 4 crash - Australian Institute of Sport rider Scott Sunderland is facing every rider's nightmare - two to three months off the bike at the start of the road racing season - following an ill-timed crash during the finale of stage 4
• Julich in the pink - Bobby Julich is riding in new colours for the first time in three years. After signing for Team Telekom in September last year, Julich will join his compatriot Kevin Livingston in the German powerhouse team of Jan Ullrich and Erik Zabel.
• Glenn D'Hollander talks to Cyclingnews - Lotto's Glenn d'Hollander was clearly the rider of the day in stage 3. He was in nearly every attack from the beginning of the race, before eventually getting away with Tristan Hoffman after 23 kilometres.
• McGee's support for junior riders - While several top European squads jockeyed late last year to win the attention and signature of Bradley McGee, the Sydney-born rider was thinking of home and how he could use his appeal to repay those who helped him get to the elite level.
• Wind - No matter how pleasant the temperature, how blue the sky, or how calm the sea, wind on the course can make a massive difference to how a bike race is fought and won. Or lost.

Thursday January 17

• Whatever happened to Ludovic Capelle? - One minute the blonde giant with the huge legs was smiling on the stage at the official 2002 Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under welcome function, telling the crowd he was in Australia "to look at beautiful women".
• Robert Tighello - the wildcard shows his stuff - The KOM champion from last year showed that he is certainly in good form, making the decisive breakaway on stage 2 to move into 9th overall.
• Scott Sunderland – another big step on the comeback road - After his serious crash during the Amstel Gold in 1998, Australian Scott Sunderland has proved he's not only well and truly back in the peloton - but a force to be reckoned with.

Tuesday January 15

• Dean spends first wedding anniversary racing - Men are notorious for forgetting (or ignoring) wedding anniversaries, but not too many can get away with being in another country on the special day...particularly when it's the first one.
• Macca takes it on the chin - despite his training accident last week David McKenzie sends his good wishes to the Tour Down Under peloton

Monday January 14

• The JCTDU team presentation - What guest announcer Phil Liggett called "the stars of the Tour Down Under" - the riders - were introduced to the public at a gala function at Adelaide's Hilton Hotel tonight
• Daniele Nardello: Italian champ shows his colours - He crashed even before the race started, but Italian road champion Daniele Nardello isn't fazed at his bumpy start to the 2002 Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under
• Captain America Down Under - They are saying, around the traps, that American Fred Rodriguez will be one to beat when the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under gets underway.
• Kirsipuu Keen for Kudos Down Under - Estonian rider Jaan Kirsipuu loves Australia. And even more, he loves the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under.
• Tighello snags spot from McKenzie - Victorian rider Robert Tighello earned a ride the the JCTDU after McKenzie crashed in training three days ago
• Cadel Evans on borrowed wheels - Mapei new recruit Cadel Evans is in Adelaide preparing for the start tomorrow on a borrowed bike. Here's why.
• Tafi seeking a "good victory" - European super-veteran Andrea Tafi is looking for one more win before retirement. Could the Jacob's creek Tour Down Under be it?
• O'Grady: "Quietly confident" but feeling the pressure - He's the double defending champion on his home streets, but Stuart O'Grady is feeling good.